Being booed has never stopped Devin Haney

LAS VEGAS — Muhammad Ali. Floyd Mayweather. Manny Pacquiao.

Likenesses of those fistic titans peered at Devin Haney from the walls of the Top Rank Gym, where the budding star prepared for the fight of his life just days before he set off for Melbourne, Australia.

That's where Haney will meet George Kambosos Jr. for the undisputed lightweight championship (9 p.m. ET on Saturday, ESPN/ESPN+), in the type of showdown that could launch Haney to genuine superstardom stateside upon his return. It's an opportunity Haney and his father, Bill, have been physically and spiritually working toward since Devin's early days fighting in Mexican dive bars.

Rather than push for an Olympic bid, a 17-year-old Haney plied his craft in Tijuana with paid fights against tough Mexican boxers. Six-and-a-half years after his pro debut on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, Haney will seek the culmination of his efforts halfway around the world.

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Saturday, June 4, 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN+: George Kambosos Jr. vs. Devin Haney undercard

Saturday, June 4, 9 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN+: George Kambosos Jr. vs. Devin Haney, 12 rounds, for the undisputed lightweight title

And he'll do so without his biggest support, his father and trainer, Bill Haney, and his co-trainer, Ben Davison, who both were denied visas to enter Australia.

And when Haney (27-0, 15 KOs) enters the ring at Marvel Stadium, he'll have to contend with much more than just a hungry, young fighter who's being counted out again. He'll also be dealing with as many as 53,000 Aussie fans cheering for Kambosos and, perhaps, three judges who may be impacted by that noise.

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