Undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney looked to defend his title for the second time tonight. He faced the Ukrainian, Vasiliy Lomachenko in a highly touted night of boxing matches on Saturday, May 21. The event took place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Devin ‘The Dream’ Haney entered the bout riding on a 29-fight win streak. His opponent, on the other hand, has scored a whopping 11 KOs in his professional career scoring 17 wins and 2 losses. Haney secured decisive victories in his last six fights. Lomachenko has won three straight fights since losing to Teofimo Lopez in 2020.
BRUTAL! DEVIN HANEY & LOMA GET VIOLENT AT WEIGH IN! pic.twitter.com/unEMa43xzT
— Boxing Kingdom (@BoxingKingdom14) May 20, 2023
The American boxer headed into tonight’s squared circle after back-to-back wins over George Kambosos Jr.. Compared to Lomachenko, Devin was a much younger lion entering one of the most highly-anticipated fights of this year. Despite starting his professional career two years after Lomachenko did, Devin’s record weighs much heavier in terms of experience.
Devin Haney beats Vasiliy Lomachenko via unanimous decision
Haney pressed the action and showcased good bodywork in the first round. Lomachenko, however, closed it with a flurry of punches that sent the crowd into a frenzy. The 2nd round began with Haney proving why his jab might be the best in the game, being crisp and accurate. Midway, Vasiliy broke through the guard with a stinging combination.
After catching Devin’s attention in the previous round, the Ukrainian bagged the best round of the fight so far in the third. He rolled forward and landed flurries from uncanny angles. Haney took a few wild swings that missed. Round 4 started with Haney sticking back to his jab game and keeping his opponent outside, for the most part. Devin tried to establish his lead leg, but Lomachenko broke through a few times.
Loma is the aggressor early in this fight đź‘€ #HaneyLoma pic.twitter.com/kkziWkInTK
— ESPN Ringside (@ESPNRingside) May 21, 2023
In the following round, Vasiliy stunned Devin with a flush straight left. Devin composed himself though after a few seconds. Haney then ended the round strong with his jab and bodywork. Round 6 saw Haney going to Loma’s body with stinging right hands, with the latter’s left flank appearing red by the end. Round 7 saw Loma do better work upstairs, but ‘The Dream’ kept working the body with lefts and rights.
Rounds 8 and 9 saw Haney’s jab winning the fight, with the crowd going nuts every time Loma landed. Both men stood their ground, with neither taking a step back after any punishment. Fans would collectively agree when we say that round 10 appeared Loma’s best one of the night. After catching Devin with a big combination, Loma swarmed him for the remaining round.
Devin Haney is going to the body early and often đź‘Š #HaneyLoma pic.twitter.com/5cCQ2KIPCQ
— ESPN Ringside (@ESPNRingside) May 21, 2023
The next round saw the action heating up, with Loma buzzing Devin with a left cross in vintage fashion. However, Devin somehow fired back with overhands in the phone booth range. Devin then walked him back for the remainder after this point.
The crowd was on its feet during the final round of an incredibly impressive fight. Loma beat Devin to the punch and swarmed him with stinging and accurate shots. Despite being the physically smaller fighter, Loma appeared to possess the gas tank and speed of a much younger athlete.
Was Devin Haney vs Lomachenko a robbery?
Despite coming in as a significantly older fighter, Lomachenko seemed to dominate more than half of the 12-round fight. However, in the judges’ eyes, ‘The Dream‘ narrowly came out on top at the end. In terms of punching stats, Lomachenko attempted and landed more compared to his opponent. Vasiliy outstruck Devin by 564 to 405.
As per the judges’ scorecards, all three judges scored the contest in favor of Devin Haney. Judge Dave Moretti scored the bout 116-112 for the American. Whereas David Sutherland and Tim Cheatham scored the match 115-113. Devin has now successfully defended his undisputed lightweight belt against a former unified lightweight champion in Lomachenko.
Devin Haney UD Vasyl Lomachenko official judges’ scorecards… pic.twitter.com/eBXqMXVXYC
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) May 21, 2023
After a grueling back-and-forth, Haney has now advanced his professional record to a perfect 30-0. In his post-fight announcement, the 24-year-old hinted at moving up a weight class sooner than later. Who do you think won the lightweight showdown tonight? Let us know in the comments below.
