Devin Haney’s father and trainer Bill Haney has been barred from traveling to Australia for the George Kambosos Jr fight as the visa is not approved due to a 30-year drug conviction

Devin Haney will likely be forced to have a new replacement trainer for the biggest fight of his life.

Haney’s father and head coach Bill Haney was barred from traveling to Australia ahead of his son’s undisputed lightweight title clash with George Kambosos Jr on June 4 due to a 1992 drug felony conviction .

Bill told Trill Boxing Talk: “I’m here at home in Vegas and couldn’t get on the flight that was passing.

“They said my visa had not been approved. It was not refused, but at that time I was not allowed to go through customs.

“I’ve always been upfront about where I’m from and my experience in terms of being from Oakland and making mistakes that I didn’t want Devin to make.

“I made mistakes and did things at 22, 23, which Devin is now, hopefully he never makes mistakes.

“I have a felony on my record that dates back to 1992. A federal drug conviction that I served time for.

“I’ve been open and honest about it.

Melina Pizano/Matchroom

“We thought maybe we would get the support we needed from the Australian government on this.

“And I hope that will happen in the next few weeks [so] I can go there.

“But I want the world to know that as a father, I prepared Devin for this moment.

“We weren’t going to let anything get in the way of this moment, for Devin to show up, show up and do what he does best.”

Ed Mulholland/Matchroom

Zab Judah’s father, Yoel Judah, will now lead Devin’s corner for the fight.

The two families are already close, with Zab being Devin’s godfather and Yoel being described as a father figure by Bill.

Bill added: “It just gives Devin more fuel.

“The last thing he said to me was, ‘Pops, if you can’t come, I’ll beat the crap out of him.'”

Sports