WBC make Haney ‘champion in recess’, crown Puello who must defend against Martin

Devin Haney won’t be obligated to defend against Sandor Martin after all.

Devin Haney is officially the WBC’s champion in recess at 140 lbs after making the request to the sanctioning body, who approved the move today. With Haney officially removed for the time being, the sanctioning body has elevated Alberto Puello to full champion and have ordered him to make a mandatory defense against top contender Sandor Martin.

Haney has been pretty busy outside of the ring, often going back and forth with rival Ryan Garcia on social media in the time since his fight with Garcia. Haney had originally lost his big fight against Garcia but would later see that result overturned to a no contest after Garcia tested positive for a banned substance.

Haney had already been allowed to keep his WBC 140 lb title before the official result was overturned due to Garcia coming in over the weight limit, and was subsequently in line to make a mandatory title defense against Sandor Martin which almost no one in the boxing public was looking forward to.

But whether it be the terrible style matchup or otherwise, Haney has contended that Garcia’s actions in their fight have hurt his earning power in a proposed defense against Sandor Martin, and is suing Garcia for monetary damages in that respect. Haney was supposedly offered little money for the Martin fight and it looks like he’s instead found a way out of that situation entirely by being relieved of that obligation while still holding the right to immediately contend for the belt at a later time, should he so choose.