Devin Haney has received a mixed response from the boxing world after filing a defamation lawsuit against fierce rival Ryan Garcia last week.
The pair have continued to exchange verbal blows following their clash in April, when Garcia outpointed Haney after dropping him to the canvas three times.
However, the result of their bout was overturned to a no-contest when it emerged that Ryan Garcia had tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug – Ostarine.
And now, with Devin Haney alleging battery, fraud and unjust enrichment against the social media star, it seems as though their deep-seated rivalry could reach boiling point before long.
Terence Crawford hails Devin Haney and Shakur Stevenson
Following the announcement that he will be suing Garcia, Haney received a degree of backlash from several fighters, including WBO world super lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez.
Hall of Famer Timothy Bradley was also among those who criticized the 25-year-old, whereas Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn has largely supported his former fighter.
Two-division undisputed king Terence Crawford has jumped to Haney’s defense as well, while also hitting back at WBC world lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson’s detractors.
“Devin’s the youngest undisputed champion in history,” Crawford told Bernie The Boxer.
“A lot of people look at the Ryan Garcia fight and criticize. But Devin kept getting up, kept fighting, showed heart, showed determination.
“It’s our people slandering him. Shakur boxes his way through a fight, our people criticize him when it’s called boxing.
“I don’t care if you hit like a truck or a butterfly, as long as you get the job done that’s all that matters.”
Terence Crawford reveals Sebastian Fundora sparring rumor ahead of potential showdown
Since claiming the WBA world super welterweight title following his points victory over Israil Madrimov, Crawford has been linked with a unification fight against Sebastian Fundora.
The pair have now been handed a 10-day extension to negotiate the WBO-ordered clash.
And despite his demands for a shot at pound-for-pound star Canelo Alvarez, Crawford has now revealed that he is open to a fight with WBC and WBO world champion Fundora – and has, already, started to play mind games with ‘The Towering Inferno.’
“That’s a fight on the table,” Crawford added when speaking to Bernie The Boxer. “If Fundora’s licking his chops over my performance vs Israil Madrimov, then I should be licking my chops because Madrimov knocked Fundora out in sparring. That’s what I heard.”