DAZN continues to strengthen its U.S. boxing roster, this time with the addition of three-division champion Devin Haney.
The streaming service, which recently agreed to a broadcasting deal with Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions, has now signed a multi-fight deal to carry Haney’s fights on the network, sources close to the situation told Uncrowned.
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Haney, the reigning WBO welterweight champion, becomes the second fighter to be aligned with DAZN without the backing of a major promotional company. On Monday, Teofimo Lopez announced his deal directly with DAZN; their relationship begins on Aug. 22 when Lopez faces WBA welterweight champion Rolando “Rolly” Romero on DAZN pay-per-view.
Zuffa Boxing was trying to add Haney to its roster and ultimately make a fight between Haney and Shakur Stevenson, but DAZN beat Zuffa to the punch for Haney’s signature, which could leave Stevenson without a big fight.
Stevenson told Uncrowned earlier this month that DAZN also made him an approach to sign a multi-fight agreement with the network, which was competitive with his Zuffa Boxing offer. Stevenson’s deal with Zuffa Boxing, however, was already complete by the time DAZN came to the negotiating table.
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Haney (33-0, 15 KOs) has been ordered to next defend his WBO title against mandatory challenger Keyshawn Davis. Purse bids are scheduled for July 27, but they are now unlikely to be required as Davis is also aligned to DAZN via his promoter, Top Rank.
Haney, who has been a free agent for more than two years, has not fought since his unanimous decision win over Brian Norman Jr. this past November in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
His partnership with DAZN should make potential fights with Ryan Garcia and Teofimo Lopez easier to make if Haney defeats Davis later this year.
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