By Jim Calfa: Devin Haney says he wants to go out and “dominate” former amateur star Vasily Lomachenko and show that he’s “levels above” him this Saturday, May 20th, in their headliner on ESPN pay-per-view that goes for $59.99 from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
With Haney (29-0, 15 KOs) potentially rehydrating to over 160 lbs on fight night, it’s fair to say that Lomachenko (17-2, 11 KOs) will be in for a tough night on Saturday.
Even if Lomachenko is in the same form that he began his professional career in 2013, it still might be enough for him to deal with the sheer size of Haney. The old saying, ‘A good big man beats a good small man’ may apply to this fight.
Lomachenko will need to figure out a way to deal with the weight and long reach of Haney because he’s going to be overmatched if he can’t figure out a way to neutralize his size.
If not for the problems that Lomachenko had in his last fight against the huge Jamaine Ortiz last October, Loma would likely be the favorite in Saturday’s contest. Lomachenko had all kinds of problems against Jamaine and was lucky not to lose. If not for Jamainee tiring late, Loma would have lost that fight.
Brian Custer: “We got a great fight on May 20th. You’re back defending all your [lightweight] belts against Vasily Lomachenko, a guy that was considered at one point considered pound-for-pound, the best guy in the sport. What does this fight mean to you personally, and what does it mean to your legacy?”
Devin Haney: “For me to defeat him would mean everything to me, and that’s what I look to do on May 20th,” said Devin Haney to Showtime’s Brian Custer’s channel. ”
“I want to show I’m levels above and how much better I’ve gotten since my last fight. I’m stronger, faster, and more explosive that I’m getting.
“We got to see. We’re training for the best him on fight night. I’m looking to make it as easy as possible and handicap him of his best attributes. We’re preparing for whatever he brings to the table.”
Brian Custer: Does it bother you that Teofimo Lopez said, ‘I’m picking Loma.’ He said, ‘You can’t play defense with Loma, and that’s all that Devin does. ”
Haney: “No, that doesn’t bother me. He has the right to have his own opinion. If that’s what he feels, that’s what he feels. I can’t be mad at it. I just got to prove him wrong, which I will prove him wrong on May 20th once I’m victorious.”
