By Allan Fox: Undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney is optimistic his title defense against Vasyl Lomachenko will be staged in Saudi Arabia on May 20th. Haney (29-0, 15 KOs) is currently in Saudi right now, looking to see about the possibility of fighting there.
The money would likely be considerably more for the 24-year-old Haney to fight Lomachenko in the Middle East compared to Las Vegas or New York, which are both solid options, but obviously, the money would be different.
Haney points out that he didn’t need to defend his four 135-lb titles against the former three-division world champion Lomachenko (17-2, 11 KOs). This is something he chose to do for him to show the world that he’s the best at 135.
For Haney to get full credit for being the best at lightweight, he’s going to need to stick around in the division long enough for him to fight the big three: Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis, Shakur Stevenson, and Frank Martin. Ryan Garcia now fights at 140, so he’s not included in the fighters that Haney would need to best to show the world that he’s the best in the 135-lb division.
It’s unlikely that Haney will stay at 135 after he fights Lomachenko because for him to have any shot at beating Tank, Shakur, and Martin, he would need to be at full strength. He can’t do that if he’s weight drained.
Haney vs. Lomachenko possible for Saudi
“Yeah, the fight is definitely happening. May 20th is the date. Right now, we’re trying to see. There’s a strong possibility that it might be here in Saudi, so that’s another reason why I’m here as well,” said Devin Haney to Pro Boxing Fans about his title defense against Vasyl Lomachenko, which he hopes will take place in Saudi Arabia.
It’s unknown why the Saudis would want to stage the Haney vs. Lomachenko fight in their country because it’s not on par with some of the past fights they’ve staged there.
If Haney were fighting Tank Davis, it would be understandable for the Saudis to host his fight, but not with the 34-year-old Lomachenko. It’s not a big enough fight.
“Nothing is finalized, but it’s happening for sure,” said Haney on the Lomachenko clash. “It’s funny how the tables have turned, but I’ve always wanted my shot at Loma. Now the time has come, and I’m happy to show the world what I’ve been saying since I was 18 or 19 years old.
“I can’t wait for the fight; I’m excited about it and show the world my skill set, and I was always going to beat Loma. I feel like I’ve got a lot more respect.
“Of course, you feel like you never get the respect that you deserve, but I’m going to keep proving people wrong and turn everyone into believers and keep winning,” said Haney.
Devin didn’t need to fight Loma
“I think this is a great fight after me defending my belts at 135,” Haney said of his May 20th fight against Lomachenko. “I really don’t even have to stay at 135. I don’t have to defend. I could easily move up, but I’m showing the world that I’m a true champion and I’m the best.
“Everyone knows that 135 isn’t easy for me to make. So we’ll see when the fight comes. No weight cut is easy ever, and it’s just boxing; it’s part of the game. Obviously, I have to deal with Top Rank, Bob Arum; it’s a co-promotional deal. Of course, that’s where I’m at.
“Me and Eddie [Hearn] are just friends; we’ve always been friends. Two bosses and two promoters can link up and have a coffee and talk about life.
“I think it’s a good fight,” said Haney about today’s announced clash between Ryan Garcia and Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis in a non-title bout on April 22nd in Las Vegas. I think Ryan has advantages that can make the fight hard for Tank, but Tank is obviously Tank. So Tank could win the fight easily.
“So we got to see. Styles make fights. I sparred both. I sparred Ryan and fought Ryan. We were young. We’re adults now; we’re men. So obviously, the power has changed, but we got to see.
“I said he got sent to the Gulag,” said Haney when asked if he son the leaked viral video of Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero getting knocked out in sparring by 22-year-old J’Hon Ingram earlier this month at the Mayweather Boxing Gym in Las Vegas. “I don’t know. That ain’t my business,” said Haney when asked if he thinks the video should have been leaked.