Devin Haney-Vasyl Lomachenko: US lightweight retains undisputed world titles and remains unbeaten
Devin Haney defended his undisputed world lightweight titles towards Vasyl Lomachenko through a controversial unanimous determination win.
In an intriguing battle at a sold-out MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, each fighters placed on an outstanding show because the conflict ebbed-and-flowed throughout the 12 rounds.
Former unified lightweight champion and double Olympic champion Lomachenko was the hardest opponent by far for the unbeaten Haney who had received all 29 of his earlier fights.
When the ultimate bell went, it was nonetheless unsure as to who would emerge victorious from their epic conflict earlier than the judges dominated in favour of the American.
The struggle was scored 116-112 115-113 115-113 in favour of a delighted Haney, leaving ‘Loma’ clearly devasted contained in the ring.
Devin Haney defended his undisputed world lightweight titles towards Vasyl Lomachenko
In an intriguing conflict, each fighters placed on a stellar show as they traded blows all through
Haney (30-0, 15 KOs), 24, had unified all 4 main belts with a victory over George Kambosos Jr in June 2022 – one thing he efficiently defended towards the identical opponent in October.
Lomachenko, 35, in the meantime had received three consecutive fights heading into this conflict.
The Ukrainian was eager to indicate he was not a fading drive towards the brilliant younger star in Haney and he impressed all through the bout, persistently hitting again at any time when his opponent tried to achieve momentum.
The American – who was vociferously booed by the group – gave the impression to be way more aggressive than regular as he had an more and more open stance and tried to claim himself.
But Loma began shortly and his conventional quick fingers and nice footwork had been on show as they continued to go back-and-forth.
The Ukrainian got here alive in the direction of the top of the bout and caught Haney a number of instances in Rounds 10 and 11 with a flurry of punches.
However, the undisputed champion summoned new reserves of power and delivered within the closing spherical as he struck Loma’s physique a number of instances.
However, there was controversy surrounding the consequence with many feeling Lomachenko ought to have received
The Ukrainian landed a number of punches on Haney’s face and got here alive within the later rounds
Both fighters celebrated after the ultimate bell, believing that they had carried out sufficient to get the victory
At the ultimate bell, each fighters celebrated in what was an especially robust bout to attain such was its competitiveness, earlier than the judges dominated in favour of Haney – a lot to the disgust of the pro-Lomachenko crowd.
Speaking after defending his world titles, Haney mentioned: ‘Lomachenko is a future ‘Hall of Famer’ and it was a blessing (to win). I need to thank Allah for this.
‘I tip my hat off to him, he is been my hardest opponent by far and we placed on an incredible struggle for the followers. He’s a artful fighter and turns it up within the championship rounds and I’ve received to tip my hat off to him.
‘It’s all expertise, my crew will return and replicate on this struggle. We’ll return and work out what’s subsequent.’
Haney additionally hinted that he may transfer up weight divisions sooner or later. He continued: ‘This is my eighth title defence and there’s loads of nice fighters once more so we’d go up (in weight). This struggle put me within the historical past books perpetually.’
A devastated Lomachenko refused to touch upon the controversy surrounding the consequence.
He mentioned: ‘First of all thanks to God and additionally thanks to my crew and you guys (within the crowd).
Haney was delighted and claimed the victory in Las Vegas ‘put him within the historical past books perpetually’
Lomachenko was devastated with the consequence, however refused to touch upon the judges’ determination
‘Thank you very a lot. I do not need to speak about it (the consequence) all of the individuals can see what occurred right now.
‘I believe I confirmed I could be in boxing and I’m in good condition. I can not discuss concerning the consequence proper now it is simply not a snug second for me proper now however thanks everybody who got here.
He added: ‘Everything was within the guidelines. I assumed he (Haney) can be higher however he is a tricky fighter however he is not the pound-for-pound fighter.
‘Right now, I need to go residence and assist my nation and my Ukraine Orthodox church.’
Meanwhile, following the struggle, former featherweight and super-featherweight world champion Shakur Stevenson felt Lomachenko had been unfairly denied victory, whereas he additionally known as out Haney and talked up a possible future blockbuster showdown between the rivals.
‘Lomachenko must be undisputed champion right here, he received. He received that struggle. He landed the cleaner punches. He landed the cleaner photographs on Dev, and he pushed the tempo,’ Stevenson mentioned.
‘Let’s make it occur. I believe it ought to occur subsequent. I believe Devon will not be on my degree and Imma present it. I really feel like Devon is a tricky fighter, however there’s a excessive ability degree inside me and he is not on my degree. Bill [Haney] known as me out after my final struggle. Now I’m right here and they ran out the ring,’
‘They seen me simply now and they ran out the ring. They received a bit of scared. I can not wait [to face him].’
