The purse bid heads have another title fight to embrace.
The Ring has confirmed that the Devin Haney-Sandor Martin WBC 140-pound title fight will take place at the June 18 hearing. A 30-day negotiation period was set aside for a mandatory title clash but the two sides were unable to reach an agreement.
There was thought to be an extension shortly before the deadline but that request would have to come before the bidding process.
Haney (31-1, 15 knockouts), is currently ranked No. 1 at 140 A ring, he raises himself. Spain’s Martin, No. 9 out of 140, is jointly promoted by Top Rank and OPI From 82.
The scheduled fight follows Haney’s 12-round majority decision loss to Ryan Garcia (25-1, 20 KOs) on April 20 in Brooklyn, New York. Haney retained his title despite the setback, due to Garcia weighing 3.2 pounds over the division limit.
Garcia is now the subject of a drug investigation after he tested positive for the banned substance Ostarine. The matter is being investigated by the New York State Athletic Commission, which may have the effect of changing the result to a No Contest.
It would restore Haney’s unblemished record, though it still leaves him on the hook to honor his mandatory title defense.
Martin (42-3, 15 KOs) has not fought since signing a promotional deal with Top Rank earlier this year. The intention was always to wait for Haney-Garcia and challenge for the title.
“Devin Haney calls himself ‘The Dream,’ but I’m his worst nightmare,” Martin said in January. “I will be the next WBC junior welterweight world champion. Whether he wants to take his title away from me in the ring or run to welterweight, it’s up to him.
“I’m excited about the next chapter of my career with OPI Since 82 and Top Rank in my corner.
Haney was The Ring’s undisputed lightweight champion before moving up in weight. The 25-year-old star earned a homecoming rematch, dethroning Regis Prograis last December 9 in San Francisco, California. Haney won all rounds to claim the WBC 140-pound title.
The win was the seventh in a row over reigning champion Haney.
Martin will compete in his first title fight.
The 30-year-old southpaw has some indirect experience at the title level. His best win to date is a ten-round decision in October 2021 over former four-rounder Mike Garcia.
The same should have been said about his Dec. fight. 2022 against Teofimo Lopez (20-1, 13 KOs) at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Lopez escaped by split decision, although many observers felt that Martin deserved the nod.
Lopez went on to dethrone Josh Taylor last June to become the Ring’s two-division champion. He still holds The Ring 140-pound title, as well as the WBO title.
Martin has had just two fights since that night, both at club level last year in Italy.
Jake Donovan is senior writer for The Ring and vice president of the Boxing Writers Association of America.
