Devin Haney Named WBC Super-Lightweight 'Champion In Recess', Puello Crowned Full

The World Boxing Council named Devin Haney their WBC light welterweight 'recess champion' while crowning 'interim' Alberto Puello the 140-lb world title holder with their organization.

Haney's recent comments on social media about taking a break from the sport and his lack of interest in fighting his WBC partner Sandor Martin in terms of competing in future tournaments at any weight has made it necessary for the judging panel to find a replacement for him at 140.

With Haney's 'Champion in Recess' title, he can challenge for his old title at any time. However, since Puello, who is not a star, holds the WBC light welterweight title, it is unlikely that Haney will show interest in fighting him because it would not be a big money fight, and it would be very difficult.

Puello (23-0, 10 KOs) is in the prime of his career at age 29, coming off a 12-round split decision win over undefeated Gary Antuanne Russell on June 15th. He's powerful and could be a nightmare for Haney, especially since he's coming off a three-fight losing streak at the hands of Ryan Garcia on April 20.

Puello's first Title defence

The WBC has ordered Pullo to make the first defense of his newly promoted 140-lb title against incumbent Sandor Martin (42-3, 15 KOs). Puello inherits Haney's WBC mandate that he was reluctant to take after last week's $2.42 million minimum bid from last week.

If Devin had won the fight against Martin, his purse would have been $1.5 million, which would have been a huge payday for what he earned in his last two bouts against Ryan Garcia and Regis Prograis on DAZN PPV. Sandor Martin wouldn't be a PPV worthy fight against Haney or Ryan Garcia if he was the WBC champion.

Of course, Ryan would be under the delusion that fighting Sandor would earn him tons of money. He would have known that the boxing community wouldn't be willing to buy this on PPV, and it wouldn't bring in a ton of new subscribers.

Mandatory Opponent: Gary Antuanne Russell

In an interesting move, the WBC made Gary Antuanne Russell (18-1, 17 KOs) the mandatory winner of the Puello vs. Martin. That doesn't make sense, given that Russell lost his last fight against Puello on June 15 and is a poor contender for any belt.

Ideally, the new WBC bond must be one of these three competitors ranked in the top 10 of the judging body:

3. Jack Catterall
4. Dalton Smith
5. Richardson Hitchins

It is questionable whether Catterll would be eager to fight the winner of Puello-Martin, but either Dalton or Hitchins would likely jump at the chance.