Is the undisputed world champion disrespecting Ukraine’s former undisputed king? Haney-Lomachenko preview
The fight between Haynie and Lomachenko will take place on May 20 (Photo:Девін Хейні via Instagram)
American lightweight boxing champion Devin Haney is convinced that a triumph over Ukraine’s two-time Olympic champion and former undisputed lightweight champion, Vasyl ‘Loma’ Lomachenko, will be a turning point in his career, Boxing Scene reported on April 26.
The Lomachenko-Haney bout will take place on May 20 in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
A victory over Lomachenko will pave the way for Haney to become the top-ranked pound-for-pound boxer in the world, he feels.
Lomachenko is currently ranked as the No. 7 best pound-for-pound fighter in the world by The Ring, with Ukraine’s Oleskandr Usyk the No. 1 boxer.
Haney did not make the Top 10.
Loma’s merits should not be downplayed following a Haney victory, with some claiming that the 35-year-old Ukrainian is already too old.
"Don't say Loma is old,” stressed Haney.
“Now all of a sudden he is old because he's fighting me. The Haney era is definitely around the corner. It's starting May 20. We're going to keep beating these guys one by one – line them up. After this fight, the world will give me my just due and I will be high on the pound-for-pound list. I should be No. 1."
Lomachenko wore a T-shirt with a picture of Jesus to the kick-off press conference, which featured the first “stare down” between the fighters.
Before the press conference, the American fighter made a show by refusing to shake hands with the legendary Ukrainian boxer.
Later, Haney suspected Lomachenko of preparing for a "dirty" fight.
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