Report: Date Revealed For Devin Haney vs. Jorge Linares

A date has reportedly been laid out for Devin Haney vs. Jorge Linares.

Haney vs. Linares was reported in early March by Mike Coppinger of The Athletic. While April 17 was the initial proposed date, the two will have to settle for May.

BoxingScene.com reports that Haney will defend his WBC Lightweight Title against Linares on May 29. The bout will be held inside Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The WBC issued a statement earlier this month, confirming that the door is open for Haney vs. Linares.

“World Boxing Council lightweight champion Devin Haney (25-0, 15 KOs), could face three-time former world champion, Jorge Linares (47-5, 29 KOs), on May 15 at a venue to be announced.

“Although there is nothing official yet, the promoters of both fighters, Golden Boy Promotions and Matchroom Boxing, report that they have reached an agreement.

“‘We have a verbal agreement for the fight. We are waiting for the contract to arrive, but we have an agreement. I think it will be a great fight. Linares continues to be one of the best lightweights in the world. This will be a tough test for Haney,’ commented Golden Boy Promotions President Eric Gomez in an interview with the Boxingscene news portal.

“In his most recent bout, Devin Haney defeated former world champion Yuriorkis Gamboa (30-4, 18 KO) by unanimous decision in twelve rounds. Linares has not fought for more than a year, and after testing positive for coronavirus, he is already fully recovered and training.”

The WBC followed this up by ordering interim champion Ryan Garcia vs. mandatory challenger Javier Fortuna with the winner facing whoever emerges victorious in the Haney vs. Linares fight.