Devin Haney vs Lomachenko: Manager Plans Appeal for Questionable Loss to Haney

Devin Haney emerged as the winner over Vasiliy Lomachenko in a closely contested boxing match on Saturday night.

After 12 intense rounds of technical boxing, Haney (30-0, 15 KOs) secured a unanimous decision victory, successfully defending his undisputed lightweight champion status and preserving his undefeated record. The judges’ scores of 116-112, 115-113, and 115-113 were met with the typical skepticism that often arises in closely fought bouts, leading to numerous notable figures expressing their doubts about the judging on social media.

Dillon Danis, a well-known combat sports personality, openly stated that he believed “Lomachenko was unfairly judged” in the fight. Additionally, Bellator commentator Josh Thomson took the criticism a step further, expressing his belief that such questionable judging is contributing to the declining popularity of boxing.

For boxing enthusiasts seeking high-level action, the showdown between Devin Haney and Vasiliy Lomachenko in Las Vegas on Saturday night delivered precisely that. Over the course of 12 closely contested rounds, Haney emerged as the winner, albeit with some mild controversy, thus maintaining his undisputed lightweight champion status.

Throughout the fight, momentum swung back and forth, with Haney starting strongly by dedicating himself to targeting Lomachenko’s body, particularly with his right hand. Despite his reputation as a fighter who heavily relies on jabs, Haney deviated from this strategy against his most formidable opponent to date.

https://youtu.be/O_EyoZ5LzHA

Although Haney had a more favorable beginning, Lomachenko defied his reputation as a slow starter by exhibiting remarkable intensity right from the very first round. He refused to let Haney control the fight with his size and strength, often taking control in the clinch and consistently pressuring Haney.

Following the fight, Haney expressed the possibility of moving on from the lightweight division.

Expressing great admiration for Lomachenko, who is destined for the Hall of Fame, Haney remarked that It was a privilege to step into the ring with him. Loma proved to be my most formidable opponent thus far. His exceptional skills made for an exhilarating fight that entertained the fans. He’s a cunning fighter who elevates his performance in the championship rounds. I give him full credit; he’s a remarkable fighter. This experience will only make me better. We’ll review the fight, reflect on it, and decide what’s next.”

Lomachenko chose not to address the scoring controversy, instead focusing on his future endeavors.

“I don’t want to discuss it,” Lomachenko commented. “Everyone witnessed what happened tonight. Look, I believe I demonstrated that I am in great shape. Until next time. Right now, it’s not a comfortable moment for me to talk about this.”

After the fight, Bill Haney, Devin’s father, and trainer, swiftly dismissed the notion of a rematch, asserting that the fight was “not close,” despite the prevailing sentiment among fans and media suggesting that Lomachenko deserved the victory.

Expressing a desire to face Haney next in the event that a Lomachenko rematch doesn’t materialize is Shakur Stevenson, a prominent lightweight contender. Stevenson criticized the Haneys for leaving the ring and expressed his belief that Lomachenko should have been declared the winner.

As expected, Stevenson issued a callout, vying for the opportunity to challenge Haney for his undisputed status.

“I believe that should be the next fight, let’s make it happen,” Stevenson confidently stated regarding his desire to face Haney. “Devin is not at my level, and I’m determined to prove it.”

Results of All Fights of the Evening

On the undercard, former super featherweight champion Oscar Valdez made his lightweight debut and secured a unanimous decision victory over Adam Lopez, whom he had previously knocked out when they faced off at 130 pounds. Additionally, Raymond Muratalla delivered an impressive knockout against Jeremiah Nakathila in the opening bout of the pay-per-view event.

Fight Card and Results

• Devin Haney (the reigning champion) emerged victorious over Vasiliy Lomachenko, securing a unanimous decision win with judges’ scores of 116-112, 115-113, and 115-113.
• Oscar Valdez also claimed a victory as he defeated Adam Lopez through a unanimous decision, with the judges’ scores reading 98-92, 98-91, and 97-93.
• Raymond Muratalla defeated Jeremiah Nakathila via second-round TKO.

Team Lomachenko to Appeal Controversial Decision in Loss to Devin Haney

Vasyl Lomachenko’s manager, Egis Klimas, has announced their intention to appeal the decision of Lomachenko’s loss to Devin ‘The Dream’ Haney, the undisputed lightweight champion. The fight took place last Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and resulted in a contentious defeat for Lomachenko.

Klimas firmly believes that the judges’ verdict was a broad daylight robbery, as Haney was awarded a unanimous decision victory with scores of 115-113, 115-113, and 116-112.

The aftermath of the bout has sparked widespread controversy, with boxing fans overwhelmingly expressing the opinion that Lomachenko should have been declared the winner instead of Haney. The Nevada State Athletic Commission will now face an appeal from Team Lomachenko regarding the outcome of the fight.

While acknowledging that the chances of overturning the results of the Haney vs. Lomachenko fight are slim, Klimas affirms his determination to make the effort.

In the event that the decision remains unchanged, Haney’s victory may always be viewed with a hint of controversy, reminiscent of Canelo Alvarez’s initial bouts against Gennadiy Golovkin.

The potential impact on Las Vegas lies in the possibility that fighters may opt to avoid competing in the city to prevent encountering similar judging discrepancies.

Addressing the press after Lomachenko’s loss to Devin Haney, Egis Klimas, Lomachenko’s manager, described the outcome as a significant daytime robbery. He vowed to pursue the protest and guaranteed an appeal, determined not to let the matter slide.

Someone must put an end to this injustice. The scoring by those judges is utterly absurd, and they fail to comprehend the immense effort these fighters put in to reach this level. Being robbed in such a manner is simply unacceptable.

We will pursue the appeal process to the very end, even though the likelihood of success is low. Perhaps the result will stand as it is, but our aim is to demonstrate the importance of justice, stated Klimas resolutely.

Jorge Linares Expresses his Belief that Lomachenko Was Unjustly Robbed of Victory

“To be honest, I had Loma winning by two points. What was that 112-116 scorecard? It was absurd, but unfortunately, these are the kinds of things we witness in boxing nowadays,” Linares commented, specifically referencing judge David Moretti, who scored the fight 116-112 in favor of Haney.