Devin Haney and Jack Catterall got into a Twitter swordplay. It follows Catterall’s resounding victory over Regis Prograis in Manchester last week. The setback could be the swan song of the New Orleans-born southpaw. However, for ‘El Gato, the victory has cemented his position as one of the division’s front-running contenders. For the next outing, he has a slew of options at his disposal. But to take his career to the top echelons of boxing, he will have to step in against a big gun. And what choice could possibly be better than Devin Haney?

The former undisputed champion is looking for a comeback fight. Now a light welterweight ‘champion in recess’, his recent challenges commenced following the fight against Ryan Garcia. The initially decisioned majority loss was converted to a ‘no contest’. So his unbeaten record remains intact. However, he needs a fight to get back in the legacy race. It appears Haney saw the Catterall-Prograis fight. His comments invariably drew the Chorley native’s attention. It didn’t take time before the discussion reached a level where a push might do some wonders.

Devin Haney: Ready for the Rumble But Need Some Support

No longer after ‘Rougarou’, accepting the writing on the wall, shared that it’s probably high time he left the space for younger boxers, Devin Haney jumped into the scene. Everyone should know that the drubbing he gave Prograis last December was much more devastating than the one Jack Catterall gave.

‘El Gato’ didn’t miss the post. He had nothing but admiration for the American champion’s accomplishments. However, it appears that he has plans for something better. “Big respect, champ, ready when you are 🤝,” he said.

Neither a denial nor an acceptance from Haney followed. Probably the Englishman was trying to bite off more than he could chew. So a word of caution followed: “Be careful what you ask for.” However, a fight against Catterall does make sense. Before his next big fight, it might be better for Haney to consider a light tune-up.

Jack Carroll is a decent candidate. He can fight through 12 rounds and isn’t a heavy hitter either. There’s an additional benefit of the fight drawing interest both in the United States and the UK simultaneously. Probably that might be the reason Devin Haney later came back and tagged His Excellency Turki Alalshikh for a potential matchup. “Only one person could make the fight with @jack_catt93, and that’s @Turki_alalshikh 😅”

Jack Carter couldn’t have agreed more.

A fight for the purists

Stylistically, the Catterall-Haney match might just be another Artur Beterbiev–Dmitry Bivol 50-50 affair. Both boxers boast a commendable technical repertoire and ring IQ. Their strike rates are not far apart. However, given his exposure and experience, Devin Haney’s slick moves might be too much of a bargain for Jack Catterall. Yes, he has the patience to fight a full-distance battle, but given how Haney pounded Lomachenko and Prograis in the championship rounds, there’s a good chance that Catterall might be in for some rude awakening.

But then this is boxing. If the fight takes place in the next six months, then one has to weigh the fact that, comparatively, Jack Catterall has been quite busier. Even if one ignores the Garcia match decision, the way it ended for Haney, the subsequent scandal, and his absence from the ring might raise some questions.

What is your feeling? Should Jack Catterall and Devin Haney make the fight?