Lightweight sensation Devin “The Dream” Haney (5-0, 3 KOs) is a boxing prodigy. The gifted 17-year-old boxer, fighting out of Las Vegas, will make his national television debut May 21, at home, on the “Knockout Night at the D” card.
Undefeated Russian middleweight Arif “The Predator” Magomedov (17-0, 10 KOs) faces upset-minded Andrew “Hurricane” Hernandez (11-4-1, 3 KOs), of Phoenix, in the 10-round main event. Magomedov is rated among the top 15 middleweights by the four major sanctioning bodies: WBC #2, WBO #3, WBA #5 and IBF #14.
Unbeaten super welterweight John “The Phenom” Vera (12-0, 8 KOs), of Fort Worth, Texas, defends his NABA-USA title belt against challenger Joey “Boxer” Ruelas (10-1-1, 4 KOs), of Phoenix, in the 8-round co-feature.
Haney is a 7-time national amateur champion, who captured a gold medal at the 2015 Youth World Champion, but he was unable to try-out for the 2016 U.S. Olympic Boxing Team because of his age. When headgear was eliminated from Olympic boxing competition, the minimum age for a U.S. boxer to compete in the Olympics was changed to 19, so Haney decided to turn pro at the age of 17 rather than wait four more years. At first, though, he had a problem getting licensed in the U.S.
After having four successful fights in Tijuana, Mexico, Haney’s license was approved by the Nevada Athletic Commission and he won an impressive 4-round decision over Rafael Vazquez this past April 9th on the Manny-Pacauiao-Timothy Bradley III show at MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Fighting May 21st on CBS Sports Network promises to be the start of something very special for Haney.
“It really means a lot to me fighting on national television for the first time,” Haney said between workouts. “I’m excited to have my friends from all over be able to watch me fight on TV. I’m going to make a statement that nigh that I’m the next big star. I’m going to show everyone my talents.”
Haney, of course, hasn’t graduated from high school yet. He’s been home schooled since the seventh grade, studying between his training responsibilities as a prizefighter: morning run, afternoon strength and conditioning, and full boxing workouts during the evening.
What can fans expect to see when they watch Haney in the ring? “I’m a boxer-puncher; strong and fast,” Haney added. “I’m a balanced fighter who can do everything. I’m only 17 and still have a long way to go. Every day, my head trainer, Floyd Mayweather, Sr., works with me to relax more, walk-down my opponent and take my time – it’s not the amateurs anymore – to breakdown my opponent.”
Another undefeated fighter, Virginia featherweight Jerren “Hardknocks” Cochran (11-0-1, 4 KOs), faces former WBC Youth International titlist Tony Lopez (10-1, 3 KOs), of Dallas, in the 6-round television “swing bout.”
Also scheduled to fight on the undercard in 4-round bouts are Las Vegas junior lightweight Randy Moreno (2-0, 1 KO) vs. Texan Chris Turtun (1-2), and Las Vegas welterweight Jeremy “J-Flash” Nichols (3-0, 2 KOs) vs. TBA.
