
Living the dream, Devin Haney reflects on journey to respect ahead of George Kambosos Jr. rematch
CBSN
Haney is also not shy looking into the future, eyeing a potential showdown with ex-lightweight king Vasiliy Lomachenko
From turning pro in Mexico at age 17 to dominating George Kambosos Jr. in June while capturing the undisputed lightweight championship, 23-year-old Devin Haney has made his journey from promising upstart to inclusion among the pound-for-pound best in the game as unique as possible.
"It has been a long time coming, but the world is finally giving me my respect," Haney told "Morning Kombat" last month. " I'm thankful for it and I thank God for it. They will only start respecting me and liking me more because I'm only getting better."
To suggest Haney (28-0, 15 KOs) is living the dream would be an understatement. Not only have a recent four-pack of wins over former world champions Yuriorkis Gamboa, Jorge Linares, Joseph Diaz Jr. and Kambosos validated the hype which followed him into the pro ranks, Haney's nickname -- "The Dream" -- suggests this was part of Bill Haney's plan all along as the father, trainer and manager of a skilled fighter with a certain in-ring maturity which belies his young age.