Bill Haney: Benavidez Can Jump to Heavyweight and Dethrone Usyk

Bill Haney has never been short on bold opinions, and his latest claim is his most audacious yet. Speaking on the Million Dollaz Worth of Game podcast, the father and trainer of Devin Haney stunned viewers by declaring that David Benavidez possesses the tools not just to move up in weight, but to climb all the way to heavyweight and defeat unified champion Oleksandr Usyk. The remarks came during a wide-ranging conversation about boxing’s best fighters and fantasy matchups. Haney, never one to temper his language, suggested that Benavidez’s rare combination of size, output, and relentless pressure would translate even against a modern great like Usyk. While Benavidez currently campaigns at light heavyweight and has openly targeted a fight with the winner of Beterbiev vs. Bivol 2, the idea of him leaping two full divisions to tackle a heavyweight technician raised eyebrows among fans and analysts alike. Haney’s argument leaned heavily on Benavidez’s physical dimensions and work rate. He noted that Benavidez naturally carries the frame of a heavyweight and possesses an engine few in the sport can match. "He’s special," Haney said, "and I believe he could go up there and take Usyk’s belts." The timeline for such a move remains purely hypothetical. Benavidez is first expected to settle unfinished business in the light heavyweight division before any serious heavyweight talk emerges. But Haney’s willingness to back an outside fighter so strongly — and his belief in an unprecedented two-division leap — has already sparked heated debate online. The clip, now circulating widely on Facebook, adds another layer to a podcast appearance already packed with headline-grabbing comments. Whether fantasy or genuine prophecy, Haney’s heavyweight vision for Benavidez is undeniably headline news. Photo credit: Million Dollaz Worth of Game / Facebook

Please sign in to post a comment. Don't have an account sign up