Bradley Warns Haney About Taking A Break From Boxing – ‘I Don’t Think It’s A Good Look’

Bradley On Haney

“You want to take one year or two years. I don’t think it’s a good look. I know he’s young, 25 or 26. Take your little break. Maybe take a year or or two years. Why? What for? Fighters have got to understand that not all fights are created equally. If you make $5 million to fight a fight, and then you go fight a mandatory challenger. It’s not the same.

“You’re not going to make $6 million or $5 million. That’s not how it works. That’s the level. $1.5 million. That’s what it is Take it or leave it. If you don’t like it, get rid of the belt, but I don’t think Devin is going to be at 140. I think 140 is out the window. I think he moves up to 147. We’ll see what he does there,” Bradley said

The danger of taking a break is that Haney will further damage his commercial value. His boxing style does not resonate with the casuals, making it hard for Haney to justify big purses in negotiations. That has prevented the Gervonta Davis fight from being made. Haney requested the same deal Garcia got for that fight, which earned him $30 million.

Haney’s Steps

It suggests that Haney needs the right dance partner to make the big fights. Taking a break allows other fighters in the division to build their brand and get a step ahead. Haney is also 25 years old, meaning he still has plenty left in his career. He became the youngest undisputed champion of the four-belt era when he won all the belts at lightweight, beating George Kambosos Jr. He then became a two-weight world champion, beating Regis Prograis in his first fight at 140. Bradley felt Haney had to get the balance right while taking time off. 

“Take a year off, rest up, and enjoy your life. Take care of yourself because you did take somewhat of a beating, and then get back in there. Don’t leave your good years behind. You’re just barely getting in your prime, and you’re young enough. You got to be mentally tough and you got to have heart,” Bradley added