Devin Haney bids to avoid being the latest lightweight king to take a fall Saturday night when he defends his WBC title vs Joseph (JoJo) Diaz in Las Vegas and we have predictions for you.
Last Saturday night in Madison Square Garden any notion of a blockbusting unification showdown between Haney and the WBA, WBO and IBF king Teofimo disappeared when ‘The Takeover’ took his first L.
Teofimo fell to unheralded Aussie underdog George Kambosos Jr on a DAZN card promoted by Eddie Hearn at Madison Square Garden (wonder how Bob Arum is feeling rn…). Now it’s Kambosos in control of the division – something which would have been unthinkable a year ago when Teofimo himself dethroned the great Vasiliy Lomachenko.
Haney vs Diaz Predictions & Odds
The slick and skilful Haney is 26-0 with 15 inside distance and looked very sharp last time as he controlled the dangerous but faded Jorge Linares.
Diaz is 32-1-1 and delivered perhaps the most impressive performance of his career in Los Angeles back in July, scoring a unanimous decision over Javier Fortuna to claim the vacant WBC interim lightweight strap. He had previously campaigned at featherweight and super-feather, and has never been stopped in a pro career which began back in 2012. His sole defeat came against Gary Allen Russell Jr on points in 2018, when he was operating at featherweight.
Not surprisingly Haney is a firm favorite to win this one with online sportsbooks (but so was Teofimo last week remember) with -550 (bet $550 to win $100) the best value. Those who fancy an upset can get odds as high as +475 (bet $100 to win $475) on Diaz, a 2012 Olympian.
Haney is big at the weight, an accurate puncher and we like the chances of him winning inside distance. Odds of +340 make us like it even more.
OddsCritic Prediction
Devin Haney to beat JoJo Diaz by KO, TKO or Disqualification at +340 (FanDuel)
NB: Odds correct at 0900 ET on Thursday December 4.
What time does Haney vs Diaz start?
The bout takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday December 4. Ring walks for the main event are expected between 8pm and 9pm local time (that’s between 11pm and midnight if you’re on the East Coast).
How to watch Haney vs Diaz on TV & live stream
You can watch Haney vs Diaz on DAZN via all major connected devices and smart TVs, plus via live stream on your phone or laptop. The cost of a subscription is $19.99 per month for a one-off – or you can get a 12-month deal for just under $100.