Devin Haney, not so long ago, was Public Enemy No.1 in Australian boxing circles.
But this week?
Well, it seems the superstar American lightweight king is happy to make amends.
Little more than a year after dethroning Australia’s own George Kambosos, 24-year-old Haney is now helping breakout Sydney heavyweight Jackson Murray – aka ‘White Chocolate’ — prepare for the biggest fight of his own fledgling career.
As revealed by Fox Sports Australia last month, Murray (5-0) is looking to continue his undefeated professional run when he throws down against American prospect Steven Torres (6-0-1) in Las Vegas this Friday.
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The US debut will come on an event being telecast live into Australia and boasting both Shakur Stevenson – who fights for Haney’s recently vacated WBC lightweight title — and Mexico’s Emanuel Navarrete, who controversially beat Aussie Liam Wilson in February.
The event is also taking place on the same weekend as the Las Vegas Formula One, with Murray telling Fox Sports Australia this week he hopes to put his name up in lights alongside drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Oscar Piastri.
Since arriving in the world’s fight capital for camp, the 29-year-old has also been mixing with several big names, including former UFC heavyweight champ Francis Ngannou, who he helped prepare for one of the fight game’s most surprising showings against WBC king Tyson Fury.
Elsewhere, Murray revealed he has also been working out alongside and taking advice from Haney, the undefeated star who is now moving up to challenge WBC super lightweight champ Regis Prograis in December.
The introductions have come via Murray’s new trainer Derrick Harmon, the former light heavyweight contender who now works as the right hand man for Top Rank promoter Bob Arum.
Asked about training alongside Haney this week, Murray said: “You become a product of your surroundings.
“I’ve been training almost daily in the private Top Rank gym next to guys like Devin, Teofimo Lopez, and others.
“So when I look to my left and I see the undisputed world champion putting in work like he is an unproven amateur, it inspires me to work harder.
“Inspires me to try and be as great as him.
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“Watching Devin spar, you can see his relentless mentality.
“His body language is always alert and he’s always dictating the sparring session.
“Always intense. It’s never an easy or relaxed session.”
Best advice Haney has given you?
“The importance of self-belief,” Murray continued of the man who twice beat Kambosos after ‘Ferocious’ had himself earned one of the greatest championship wins in Australian sports history, upsetting Teofimo Lopez in 2021.
“Devin and his team were telling us how, before the first Kambosos fight, he was unsure about coming to Australia without his dad and head trainer, who was not allowed in the country at that time.
“However, he made a decision to back himself under any circumstances.
“Said how the opportunity to travel halfway across the world for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, it wasn’t something he could reject.
“And now I’m in the same boat, with roles reversed.
“I’m the Aussie travelling to America for a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
Despite having celebrated his 29th birthday in Las Vegas recently, Murray revealed there was no cake or candles, no presents, and only his daughter, three, singing him Happy Birthday that evening via Facetime.
“Which was tough,” he concedes.
“The greatest challenge for me has been the loneliness of this sport.
“But if you cut corners in training, it’s exposed on fight night.
“There are no teammates to back you up.
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“And if I didn’t believe in myself, if I didn’t know what I’m capable of, then I wouldn’t be making these sacrifices.”
Still, he hopes there will be plenty of reasons for Australians to celebrate in Sin City this weekend.
“I’m hoping to make all Aussies proud on the world stage,” he said.
“I know the Formula One is on this weekend too so I’m hoping the Las Vegas sporting world will be talking about Aussies Oscar Piastri, Daniel Ricciardo and Jackson Murray by Monday morning.”
Thoughts on his rival, the undefeated Torres?
“It will be a battle of the giants,” he said.
“My opponent, like me, is six foot seven and likes to control the fight with his jab.
“But I have a left hand waiting for him.
“I know I have more power than him and I can’t wait to use it.”
Asked about how his US camp had improved him, the Aussie continued: “I realised early on, the training and sparring in America is very different.
“There are no friends here and no one is going to ‘work with you’.
“You see people sparring in the ring and there is often smack talking, insults being traded, and relentless work. No one is there to be nice or friendly.
“It’s dog eat dog.
“But I love it.
“And I feel that, every day, it’s transforming me.”