Devin Haney improved to 30-0 (15ko) after a controversial unanimous decision bout. Haney and Lomachenko squared off in a Main Event of a Top Rank Boxing card at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, NV.
The fight was for Haney’s four major belts he won in a unanimous decision victory over George Kambosos Jr.
Lomachenko has won three consecutive fights, and was scheduled to fight Kambosos last June, but Lomachenko remained at home in Ukraine with his family during the Russian war. Haney ended up facing Kambosos in place of Visily
It was a pay-per-view that everyone was waiting for, and it did not disappoint. Haney’s strong start to the fight may have been just what he needed to win the bout. The first four rounds consisted of Haney delivering punishing body shots, & counters. It seemed as if Devin
Haney was going to wear Lomachenko down midway through the fight after delivering so many punishing blows to the body. Lomachenko kept his hands up high defending any potential blow to the head, leaving his lower body exposed for Haney to go to work.
Although he endured an onslaught of punches from Haney, Lomachenko was not rattled and continued to fight at his pace, Vasiliy was cool, calm, and collective. Studying his opponent seemed to be the strategy and as the fight progressed Lomachenko began to land some punishing blows of his own with a repeatedly straight left to the head of Haney.
By the end of the 8th round the fight seemed to be about even, at 4 rounds a piece for each fighter. Round 10 & 11 went to Lomachenko, he clearly shook Haney after landing multiple combination punches to the head, His confidence grew, and Haney was on the verge of losing his undisputed title.
Haney came out in the 12th round throwing those punishing shots to the body sealing the fight in the eyes of the judges, Critics say the one-sided round is what won Haney the fight. It was clear that the fans, Lomachenko and peers in the boxing world felt otherwise.
Lomachenko declined to make a statement on how he felt about the ruling, yet clearly showing his disappointment as he was seen crying back in the locker room.
Shakur Stevenson 20-0 (10KO) stepped into the ring and said it was clear that Haney did not win the fight. “Loma Pressed him all fight & landed the more punishing blows, “said Stevenson. Stevenson Also did not hesitate to call out Haney saying “he is a tough fighter but there is a high skill level within me, and I feel like he is not on my level.
Scorecards: T. Cheatham: 115-113 / D. Moretti: !16-112/ D. Sutherland 115-113