By Sean Jones: Vasily Lomachenko has been given a seven-figure offer by Matchroom to face WBC lightweight champion, Devin Haney, according to his dad, Bill Haney.
We’ll see if Lomachenko rejects the seven-figure offer given to him. According to Bill, Lomachenko doesn’t have a fight on tap for ESPN in May, which is when he would like to make the match with Haney.
Bill says they’re waiting to hear back from Lomachenko (14-2, 10 KOs) if he’s going to take the fight with Devin. If not, Haney (25-0, 15 KOs) will take his Plan-B option in #3 WBC Jorge Linares.
Bill says they even have a Plan-C in #2 WBC Javier Fortuna if they can’t get Lomachenko or Linares to take the fight. He’s confident that the match against Linares (47-5, 29 KOs) will get made if it comes to that.
Haney and Bill both want former three-division World Champion Lomachenko because he’s who the boxing fans want to see Devin face.
Lomachenko, 32, gave Teofimo Lopez many problems in a losing effort last October and came close to rallying to pull out a victory after doing little in the first seven rounds.
Lomachenko was given a 7-figure offer
“The world is going to see what we do to Lomachenko should he get in the ring in May,” said Bill Haney to AKHi TV. “I know after talking to Eddie [Hearn], we have a seven-figure figure on play for Lomachenko to go over to DAZN.
“So we’re waiting to hear back. Of course, a lot of the rumors were publicized that the Linares fight was in the bag already. We’ve been talking to Linares.
“The Linares fight was a fight that Eddie had pretty much closed a deal on, and then the Lomachenko stuff came into play and then Devin and him went back and forth.
“This was the first time that Lomachenko had responded to Devin where he was ready at the end of April or May. I didn’t want that to go by the wayside, so I advised Eddie to do what it took to make that fight happen because I knew that was a fight that the people wanted to see.
“That was a fight that we were trying to make for a long time. I think he’s [Lomachenko] a great fighter, but I know there’s something special about Devin. It’s a fight that we really want, and we feel very comfortable and confident in.
“If it’s not Lomachenko, Jorge Linares is someone that I have a whole lot of respect for what he’s did and what he brings to the table.
“He’s raised his hand. Should it not work with Lomachenko, the deal is already in place with Linares,” said Bill.
Lomachenko might not be receptive to getting less money than what he’s made in the past for his fights when he was still a world champion.
If Loma is assuming that he should be paid the same as he did when he held the titles, he’s going to be in for a shock. Things are going to be different for him.
Haney wants Lomachenko fight
“Absolutely, without a doubt,” Bill Haney said when asked if Lomachenko is the main fight that Devin wants next. “Undeniably, we want Lomachenko and we want him now. I’m not listening to what the media said.
“I’m listening to what Lomachenko said, and Lomachenko said he’s ready, and he’s had an ample amount of time. That’s adequate preparation for a May date, and it’s full speed ahead to try and make that thing happen.
“He took it more personal than business by calling Devin a coward and we hold him to his word. There’s no reason for him to say that he’s available in May, and to tell Devin to organize it, and then not be available in May to fight on DAZN.
“He doesn’t have a date in May on ESPN. So what he was talking about was Devin.
“Devin said he had a date in May, and he said he has an ample amount of time, so we’re going to hold him to that.
“We’re moving forward and pressing forward and sending something over that Eddie [Hearn] describes as a seven-figure deal,” Bill said.
Lomachenko is the best available contender that Haney can potentially fight, given that he’s someone that showed interest on Twitter in facing him.
Haney can’t get Ryan Garcia, Teofimo Lopez, or Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis to fight him right now. Those guys are three of the ‘Four Kings’ in the 135-lb division.
Since none of those fighters are available to Devin, the nest best option of Lomachenko.
The Ukrainian fighter might not be as popular as the guys that Haney would like to face, but he’s at least someone to potentially fight.
Fans want the Haney-Lomachenko fight
“I’m hoping,” Bill Haney said about the Lomachenko fight. “I’m happy about the fact that we’re at the level now where we have qualified opponents that are approved by the fans and the people.
“We know the people are calling for this fight, and this is a fight that we’re demanding our co-promoter in Eddie Hearn to make happen.
“They want the Lomachenko and Devin fight. Now the Lomachenko team and Vasily have answered to the bell. We have yet to hear any response from him.
“I told Eddie, ‘Hold up, go talk to Bob [Arum].’ If Lomachenko thinks Devin is sweet or a pushover, come on, Lomachenko. Let’s got it now. Let’s stop all the talking, let’s stop all the bull s***.
“I’ve reached out to your manager Egis Klimas several times. Let us know what’s happening. We’re not playing with you guys. We’re going to show you what a coward is.
“Vasily Lomachenko has been on the pound-for-pound lists, he’s a hell of a fighter. I’m sure he’s in control of his career right now.
“I’m listening to him and I’m looking at his last Tweet, and that’s all I’m listening to. The rubber has hit the road.
“He said what he said, and Devin said what he said, so let’s make it happen,” Bill Haney said.
The reason for the fans preferring Lomachenko over Linares or Fortuna is simple. Lomachenko has done a lot more in his carer than those fighters and beaten better opposition.
A win over Lomachenko would give a big boost to Devin Haney’s career, particularly if he does a better job beating him than Teofimo did.