Eddie Hearn said the quiet part out loud this week \u2014 Devin Haney won\u2019t fight Lewis Crocker unless Turki Alalshikh writes the check. Without Saudi involvement, there\u2019s no realistic path to a WBO\u2013IBF welterweight unification.<\/p>\n
Haney has priced himself out of most regular fights. After two paydays against Ryan Garcia and Jos\u00e9 Ramirez, he\u2019s used to top billing and Saudi money. The IBF belt Crocker holds would give him leverage for a Garcia rematch or a domestic event with Conor Benn, but not enough to take a pay cut.<\/p>\n
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Crocker\u2019s coming off solid wins over Tyrone McKenna, Jos\u00e9 F\u00e9lix Jr., and a title upset against Jaron Ennis\u2019 old sparring mate Luis Castillo. He presses hard, fights in straight lines, and doesn\u2019t overthink. But without a stateside following, Hearn admits the PPV math doesn\u2019t add up \u2014 even if Crocker\u2019s pressure could make Haney\u2019s cautious rhythm look worse than usual.<\/p>\n
Haney\u2019s problem isn\u2019t talent; it\u2019s risk. His jab-and-smother routine got him through twelve safe rounds more than once, but his punch output has dropped, and the public sees it. Crocker doesn\u2019t outthink opponents, yet he forces mistakes by keeping his pace steady and not giving ground. Against Haney, that could expose how little urgency Haney shows when things get uncomfortable.<\/p>\n
Hearn told Belfast Online:<\/a> \u201cunless Turki turns around and makes that fight, who\u2019s going to pay for it?\u201d\u00a0He\u2019s right. DAZN won\u2019t spend eight figures on a fight that doesn\u2019t sell outside hardcore circles. The Saudi shows are now the only place where mismatched economics don\u2019t kill deals.<\/p>\n If the unification falls apart, Haney sits idle or risks something he doesn\u2019t want \u2014 a mandatory or Benn in a UK stadium fight that could turn political quick, given Benn\u2019s ongoing eligibility issues. Crocker goes back to Belfast to defend the IBF and wait for a call that may never come.<\/p>\n If Haney doesn\u2019t move now, his belt becomes a shield, not leverage. And shields get stripped eventually.<\/p>\n Thomas Hull is a boxing writer covering news, gossip and results\u00a0 since 2014.<\/p>\n Click here to subscribe to our FREE newsletter<\/a>Related Boxing News:<\/p>\n \t\t\tCategories Devin Haney<\/a> \t\t<\/p>\n