Arguably boxing’s most-stacked males’s division treats us to what needs to be an explosive showdown Stateside, with main ramifications for the panorama at 135lbs.
Haney has the total set of light-weight titles after two profitable journeys to Australia final yr, beating George Kambosos Jr on factors on each events so as to add the WBA, IBF and WBO belts to the WBC strap he has held since 2019.
There has been speak of a possible bout with Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis later this yr ought to the unbeaten Haney prolong his skilled document to 30-0, or a future showdown with Shakur Stevenson, however there'll absolutely be no trying previous Lomachenko, who just some years in the past was broadly considered probably the greatest pound-for-pound fighters on the planet.
The 35-year-old has three wins since that defeat by Lopez, most not too long ago a factors victory over Jamaine Ortiz in October final yr, with that coming after Lomachenko turned down a world title shot at Kambosos Jr to remain in Ukraine and be a part of a territorial defence battalion following Russia’s invasion.
“I want to beat him bad. I want to send him into retirement,” Haney has stated within the build-up to this bout, presumably his final earlier than making the transfer to super-lightweight. “Lomachenko has never been an underdog, this is the first time. This time he’s fighting a bigger guy, a strong guy, faster guy, younger guy.”
Tensions ramped up a notch additional at Friday’s ceremonial weigh-in, with the irate Haney shoving a smiling Lomachenko throughout an intense final face-off.
Haney vs Lomachenko takes place tonight, Saturday May 20, 2023 on the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The fundamental undercard shouldn't be as a consequence of begin till round 1am BST on Sunday for battle followers within the UK, with ring walks for the principle occasion itself anticipated at round 4am BST. As ever although, these timings are topic to alter.
On Saturday’s undercard, Australia’s Andrew Moloney and Junto Nakatani of Japan compete for the vacant WBO super-flyweight title.
There’s loads extra motion to look ahead to, together with Oscar Valdez returning for the primary time since his defeat by Shakur Stevenson as he battles Adam Lopez.
The fundamental card opens with thrilling light-weight prospect Raymond Muratalla, who acquired up off the canvas to beat Humberto Galindo simply seven weeks in the past. He meets a harmful opponent in Jeremia Nakathila, the Namibian who dominated former super-featherweight world champion Miguel Berchelt in his final battle in March 2022.
Devin Haney vs Vasyl Lomachenko
Juno Nakatani vs Andrew Moloney
Raymond Muratalla vs Jeremia Nakathila
Oscar Valdez vs Adam Lopez
Floyd Diaz vs Luis Fernando Saavedra
Nico Ali Walsh vs Danny Rosenberger
Abdullah Mason vs Desmond Lyons
Amari Jones vs Pachino Hill
Emiliano Vargas vs Rafael Jasso
TV channel: The battle shall be broadcast reside on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Action within the UK, with protection getting underway at 1am BST within the early hours of Sunday morning.
Live stream: The Sky Go app will enable subscribers to look at on-line through a reside stream.
LIVE protection: You may also observe your entire occasion in a single day with Standard Sport’s devoted reside battle weblog.
Haney unsurprisingly goes into this battle because the betting favorite, together with his rematch victory over Kambosos Jr one other 12-round masterclass as he cruised to a large factors victory. And all the pieces factors to a different lengthy night time on Saturday.
The American’s final six wins have all come on factors, with Haney so usually capable of management fights together with his jab. He is more likely to try to battle at vary towards Lomachenko, racking up the rounds with out too many dangers.
Haney additionally has a measurement benefit, an element that has proved problematic for Lomachenko up to now. He was the smaller fighter towards Lopez when shedding his WBA and WBO belts, and measurement stays a difficulty when he comes up towards the very best within the 135lbs division.
He must take dangers in taking the battle to Haney and it guarantees to be an excellent bout from a technical perspective, however Lomachenko will seemingly come up quick in his bid to grab the undisputed crown.
Haney to win, through unanimous determination.
Lomachenko tipped the scales at 136lbs throughout Friday’s weigh-in, whereas Haney got here in at 134.9lbs.
It was actually a shock to see the smaller challenger because the heavier man initially, however Haney is predicted to weigh much more on battle night time.
“Plot twist.. he was heavier then me,” Haney tweeted.
Haney to win: 4/11
Lomachenko to win: 21/10
Draw: 16/1
Haney to win by KO/TKO: 8/1
Lomachenko to win by KO/TKO: 15/2
Haney to win by factors or determination: 4/7
Lomachenko to win by factors or determination: 7/2
Odds through Betfair (topic to alter).
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