The boxing world is in anticipation of the upcoming bout between undefeated American phenom, Devin Haney (29-0, 15 KOs), and the Ukrainian boxing maestro, Vasyl Lomachenko (17-2, 11 KOs). Scheduled for tonight, May 20th, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, this fight promises high stakes and high drama as Haney defends his four-belt undisputed 135-lb championship against the former three-division world champion Lomachenko on ESPN PPV.
Haney’s prediction for the fight is clear. He believes Lomachenko has “bit off more than he can chew” in this match-up. Yet he doesn’t see a potential loss for Lomachenko as the end of the road. Instead, Haney envisions Lomachenko returning to the 130-lb division where he will “dominate” and become the undisputed champion. As for tonight’s bout, Haney feels a victory over Lomachenko, a future “Hall of Famer,” would “validate” his prowess in the boxing world.
However, Haney’s validation might not be as straightforward as he believes. If he emerges victorious tonight, he will still face the challenge of proving himself against fighters like Shakur Stevenson and Gervonta Davis. Defeating the 35-year-old Lomachenko, who is considered undersized for the lightweight division and past his prime, might not be enough for Haney to secure his standing as the best in the lightweight division. He has to prove that he's not avoiding prime fighters like Stevenson and Davis to solidify his claim to the top spot.
In a recent exchange, Haney denied calling Lomachenko “old,” stating he was merely pointing out that he is the younger fighter. Lomachenko, on the other hand, seems to see this fight as his “jackpot in boxing.” While Haney sees the fight as a validation, Lomachenko sees it as an opportunity for a crowning achievement. Will it be the undefeated Haney or the experienced Lomachenko? The answer awaits us tonight.
Image Credit: DAZN