By Dan Ambrose: Vasyl Lomachenko says he’s begun his preparation for his title challenge of undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney on May 20th in a Top Rank-promoted show on ESPN.
The undersized 135-lb contender Lomachenko (17-2, 11 KOs) states there are only “small issues” that need to be worked out in the negotiations before the fight with Haney (29-0, 15 KOs) is official for May 20th.
If the fight falls through, Lomachenko will need to figure out if he wants to go after WBA secondary lightweight champion Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis or give up on the 135-lb division and return to 130.
Bob Arum would like to have Lomachenko and Shakur Stevenson fight if Haney chooses to vacate his four belts to go up to 140. But unless there is a title on the line for that fight, it wouldn’t make sense for Lomachenko to fight Shakur because there would be nothing for him to gain.
With Tank Davis being with PBC and fighting on Showtime, it’s not likely that a fight between him and the Top Rank-promoted Lomachenko can happen.
On Devin Haney fight
“Yeah, we started to prepare,” said Vasyl Lomachenko to Fight Hub TV about his May 20th fight against Devin Haney. “I hope it’s May 20th like it was announced. Not yet, but we’re working on the small details,” Lomachenko said when asked if the fight is signed.
“I think so. I hope [the Haney fight will happen]. It was really, really good, and he shows he’s a real champion and undisputed, and we’ll see what happens. I will try to do it,” said Lomachenko when asked how he’ll beat Haney.
On Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk
“It’ll be a great fight for Ukraine and all of boxing, and I hope it’s going to happen,” Lomachenko said about the potential Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk fight. “No,” Loma said when asked if Usyk told him that the fight would happen. “They’re working on the fight.
On Tank Davis vs. Ryan Garcia
“It depends on how they prepare for thee fight,” Lomachenko said about Gervonta Davis vs. Ryan Garcia about their still un-signed April 15th match. “If they prepare 100% both, it’ll be very, very interesting, and very hard for both.
“They understand boxing, and in my opinion, Gervonta Davis will win. Because he’s very technical, he has the power, and he has the speed. He knows how to move, and he always fights against guys that are higher than him.”
— Devin Haney (@Realdevinhaney) February 14, 2023