By Allan Fox: Vasily Lomachenko says he doesn’t care that the oddsmakers have him as the underdog against Devin Haney for this Saturday night. Lomachenko (17-2, 11 KOs) says he just wants to “prove” to them what he can do.
Lomachenko will be challenging Haney (29-0, 15 KOs) for his undisputed lightweight championship this Saturday, May 20th on ESPN PPV at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
This fight is what Lomachenko has been waiting for his entire ten-year professional career, to fight for the undisputed championship. Lomachenko has continually said it’s his “last chance” because if he loses, he’ll likely never get another shot against a four-belt champion.
Haney will either vacate his four 135-lb titles to move up to 140, or he’ll face Gervonta Davis and likely get beaten by him.
Davis isn’t going to hold onto the four titles because it would involve him having to fight too many contenders that bring nothing to the table in terms of popularity.
“No, I’m not surprised. I understand why people are talking about underdog from my side. I don’t care. I just want to prove who I am,” said Vasily Lomachenko to the media when asked if it bothers him that he’s the underdog.
“A fighter is going to go where his best economic opportunity is, and if Haney wins or loses and we offer him a fight, and they determine it’s better than another promoter offering a fight on a different platform, he’ll sign with us for that fight,” said Bob Arum of Top Rank to Fighthype when asked if Haney will move or stay with his company after his contract expires on Saturday night against Loma.
“We don’t owe him, and we’re not looking for a long-term contract. We only look for long-term contracts with guys that are starting out. So the idea that if Haney wins and does a fight with PBC or DAZN. If it’s more attractive to him, then why shouldn’t he do it?
“I don’t object to any of that unless fighters try to breach their contract, and Haney has no contract with us moving forward.
“If Loma happens to lose and Haney moves up to 140, and the titles are vacant, then it’s going to take a hell of a lot of fights for Loma to become the undisputed lightweight champion. That’s what he means,” said Arum when asked about Lomachenko’s comment about it being his “last chance” for his fight on Saturday.
“I have no idea. I’m not a bookmaker. I look at this fight as an even fight. What are the odds now on the fight? Slight favorite. So it’s like an even fight. So people will bet with the way they think the outcome will go,” said Arum.
