Devin Haney will be considered “Champion in recess”. As per WBC rules, in the event of injury or inability for a justified cause to defend the title, the reigning boxer can request to be temporarily replaced. This is exactly what happened with “The Dream.”
The recent news of Ryan Garcia’s one-year suspension from boxing activity due to a doping disqualification and the subsequent change of verdict of the last fight to a “no contest,” which partially compensated Haney for the injustice suffered, was not enough to “get him back on track.” The American champion stated that he is not currently ready to take on the latest orders from the organization: above all, the obligation to defend the title within a short period against the official challenger, Sandor Martin.
“Devin is not physically, mentally, and emotionally ready,” these were the reasons that led the champion’s team to request an exemption and Mauricio Sulaiman to accept it. “I absolutely support Devin Haney and agree with his reasons. He needs a break. What happened to him in New York is one of the greatest injustices I have ever seen in boxing!” commented the president.
Meanwhile, Alberto Puello steps in for him, having won the interim WBC title at 140 pounds on June 15 in Las Vegas against Gary Russell, thus being elevated to full champion. He will therefore face the elusive Spanish superlightweight, Sandor Martin.