At the MGM Grand in Las Vegas (USA) came to an end a high-profile fight between the youngest absolute world champion Devin Haney and Vasily Lomachenko. Sports tells about the controversial defeat of the Ukrainian boxing legend and the unconvincing performance of the American, who still retained five titles and a perfect record.
Experience can't beat youth? WBC, WBO, IBF, WBA (Super) and The Ring lightweight champion Haney would give an affirmative answer. The self-confident champion opened as a clear favorite, and it was hard to disagree with the position of the bookmakers. Impeccable technique, reminiscent of many of Floyd Mayweather, a defining advantage in arm span (almost 15 centimeters) and weight. The athlete with the nickname «Dream» is clearly created for higher weight categories, but if there are no problems to drive into the lightweight division (up to 61.2 kg) — why not? He goes to fights heavier than his opponent by 5-10 kilograms. And this is the power of impact, and the pressure in the clinch.
That's just the elite scalps in Haney's resume is not enough. That is why the meeting of the 24-year-old undefeated prospect with the 35-year-old experienced Ukrainian becomes more interesting. Won't Devin fall in the ring with an «aged» opponent, whose unique boxing philosophy can be compared to chess?
However, an equally important factor that played into the hands of Haney could be the rampant hate against Vasily. And we are not talking about American fans at all — pressure on the two-time Olympic champion, ex-champion in three weight categories was exerted by their own compatriots.
What is the reason for the fans' dissatisfaction? You will find the answers in our material. For now, we only note that Lomachenko ordered on his pair of gloves images of two flags — Ukraine and his hometown of Belgorod-Dnestrovsky (Odessa region).
Vegas booed the American … after the verdict of the judges, and throughout all 12 rounds he chanted «Scrap! Scrap!». It's not like the guy from San Francisco fought on Saturday night.
Haney, who had eaten after weighing, seemed to be embarrassed by the sympathy of the native public for the Ukrainian. He did not try to force the course of the fight, acted as the second number for most of the fight and, in truth, did not deserve to win. What can not be said about Vasily, who moved and hit an order of magnitude faster and more skillfully than the champion. After some exchanges, of which there were plenty in a bright confrontation, Devin staggered, so he had to save himself in the clinch.
Loma did not sink, did not slow down at the end of the fight — this is how the underdog laughed at everyone who crossed him out of the top of world boxing. Statistics? She is also for the Ukrainian. Since the fight took place in the stance, then pay attention to the indicators of thrown and accented blows. The advantage is not total, but still … Hence the question: how did the judges manage to count even six rounds in favor of the American with his vaunted jab?
Perhaps the referees judged the fight as an extremely close meeting. Hence the good old rule that goes unspoken in boxing and MMA: if you want to beat the «champ» — do it ahead of schedule or so confidently that your opponent doesn't get a single round. In the meantime, under the dissatisfied buzz of the stadium, we got a slightly faded star with a record of 30-0 (not at all Haney dreamed of such a triumph) and a “defeated” veteran. Which, judging by the applause, left the ring as a winner.
Later, a video appeared on social networks in which Loma sobbed sobbing in the locker room. The emotions of a boxer who gave 200% is understandable.
The score on the judges' cards: 116-112, 115-113, 115-113 in favor of Haney.
Lome is still early to retireIt showed 36 minutes of felling with one of the most talented representatives of the new generation of boxing. It is still difficult to say who Vasily will fight next, but one thing is important: both the Ukrainian and the fans want to continue after such a performance. As a true pro, he did not destroy the judges, but only stated that Haney is not an athlete of the level of the best boxers, regardless of weight categories (Р4Р).
Devin, after the fight, showed respect for the legend, noting that the victory was won over future member of the Hall of Fame. Ahead of the unbeaten American, apparently, a meeting with Shakur Stevenson. Immediately after the fight, the undefeated ex-world champion in two weight categories made a comment, stating that for a number of reasons Haney did not defeat Lomachenko, and promising that very soon he would show the true level of today's triumph.
PollHow do you like the judge's verdict in the Lomachenko fight?
Vasyl was sued, Haney won unfairly75.2%Ukrainian had to do more to win24.8%VoteVoted:214Yesterday, 09: 05