Vasyl Lomachenko did everything but win Saturday night against big favorite Devin Haney.
According to CompuBox, Lomachenko landed more punches. (124-110)
He outmaneuvered the much younger Haney–winning rounds against an opponent who dominated former champion George Kambosos in his previous bout. (And everyone else in between)
Haney & Loma Put On Instant Classic | Haney Retains Undisputed Belts | FIGHT HIGHLIGHTS
Lomachenko was the more agile fighter, quicker and craftier against his larger opponent.
He grew stronger as the fight progressed, jolting Haney with straight shots.
Most impressively, he turned back the clock, showing the youngster his skill was still elite.
It was all for naught, though.
All three judges saw Haney winning by unanimous decision.
Lomachenko was in shock after hearing the verdict. He openly wept in his dressing room.
His dream for several years had been to be an undisputed lightweight champion.
Haney, who had played the cocky heel well before the fight, was complimentary.
“Lomachenko is a future Hall of Famer,” said Haney on ESPN. “It was a blessing. He was my toughest opponent by far. He is very crafty, and we put on a great fight for the fans. He’s a crafty fighter. He turns it up in the championship rounds. I just have to take my hat off to him. He’s a great fighter.”
Devin Haney vs. Vasiliy Lomachenko • FULL POST FIGHT PRESS CONFERENCE | Top Rank Boxing
Lomachenko’s manager Egis Klimas screamed foul a few hours after the fight.
“I’m gonna say it just like it is,” Klimas said during the post-fight press conference. “This is the biggest robbery in the middle of the day. For [Haney’s] team, Christmas came in the summer. And we’re not gonna let it go. I guarantee we’re gonna protest. And it has to be justice.
“We’re gonna go all the way to the end to appeal and to – maybe we’re not gonna win. Maybe it’s gonna be as it is. Most likely, it’s gonna be that. But we want to show [there] has to be justice.”
Words.
Klimas can mention “robbery” all he wants. Please note the result was NOT a robbery.
What WAS a robbery went down on May 13 in Las Vegas. 40-year-old Ismael Barroso got rolled, literally and figuratively. He lost a boatload of money and a world title.
Barroso entered the bout a 10-1 underdog. He floored Romero and jolted him several. A phantom knockdown produced a horrendous stoppage. Barroso did nothing wrong. Perhaps the big wigs didn’t want him to win. Pathetic.
That’s a robbery.
Lomachenko and Haney are, to me, what The Sweet Science represents.
Highly skilled, highly competitive. Both fighters grasping the moment and adjusting to what the other was doing.
Haney is a dynamic young fighter who fought a man just as electric. The age gap, a running theme throughout the buildup, wasn’t a factor.
The scoring of Dave Moretti was beyond ridiculous.
116-112?
Moretti scored round 10 for Haney, which Lomachenko dominated. Moretti needs to explain what he saw.
Lomachenko looked like the winner after the fight. Coasting in the last round was a mistake.
Still, with everything he did successfully, the victory should have been his.
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