Haney retains titles with controversial win over Lomachenko
Lomachenko’s camp knocked down the jury after Devin Haney retains lightweight boxing titles by unanimous decision.
Undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney has retained his titles at the MGM Grand Garden, Las Vegas, but not without a controversial decision that former three-division champion Vasiliy Lomachenko plans to appeal.
Lomachenko dominated the final rounds in Saturday night’s fight, beating Haney 124-110.
But much to the dismay of the 14,436 fans in attendance, all three judges had won Haney. Tim Cheatham and David Sutherland scored the fight 115-113, while Dave Moretti had it 116-112.
Lomachenko’s manager said they plan to appeal the decision.
“The biggest robbery in daylight. Haney’s team got Christmas in the summer,” said Egis Klimas. “We are appealing this decision. Those judges, they don’t understand how hard the boxers are working. I guarantee we won’t let that go. We want to show that there must be justice.”
Haney improved to 30-0. Lomachenko, 35, fell to 17-3.
Both fighters showed aggression throughout the first half of the fight, Haney using his height and strength to finish off his back foot, while Lomachenko continued to hit the champion with a jackhammer to the head with his left hand.
But as the fight progressed, it was the elder statesman who punished the 24-year-old Haney, stunning him with combinations, including a powerful ninth round, as the champ began to show his fatigue.
All three judges scored a relatively short 12th round that could have gone either way in Haney’s favor, 10-9. Another decision would have made the fight a draw on two judges’ scorecards.
“I think I showed that I can still box, I’m in good shape now,” said Lomachenko. “I won this fight. Twelve rounds finish, I was sure I won this fight. I feel like I have this fight under control.”
Haney was nothing short of complimentary about his challenger.
“Lomachenko is a future Hall of Famer,” Haney said. “It was a blessing. He was my strongest opponent. He was very cunning. He turns it up in the championship rounds. [This fight] put me in the history books forever.”
Lomachenko returned to the ring in October last year after enlisting in a territorial defense unit for Ukraine following Russia’s invasion of the country.
Haney became the first undisputed lightweight world champion since Pernell Whitaker in 1990 with a lopsided decision over George Kambosos in Melbourne in June 2022.
Now Haney has to make a decision as he will be a free agent when he wakes up on Sunday morning as his three fight deal with Top Rank and Lou DiBella has now expired.
Haney certainly has plenty of options, as he could stay at 135 pounds (61 kg) for one last fight, where a highly anticipated contest awaits against fellow pound-for-pound contender Shakur Stevenson, who was in attendance Saturday.
Haney could also move up to junior welterweight, where he would pursue a second division title while positioning himself to face the winner of the June 10 fight between Josh Taylor and Teofimo Lopez Jr.
The wild card fight there would be against Gervonta Davis, who looked impressive in his victory over Ryan Garcia on April 22.
“Me and my team will go back home, watch the fight and reflect on it,” said Haney, who added that it has always been difficult for him to put on weight at 135.
“I’ve been at 135 for a very, very long time. This is my 30th fight. I’ve been here at 135 since I was 16 years old. We’re going back to the lab to find out what’s next.’