Devin Haney successfully defended his undisputed lightweight world titles against Vasiliy Lomachenko back in May of 2023.
It was an elite, nip and tuck affair, with Haney’s stellar jab and smart work to the body securing him some rounds but Lomachenko’s speed and sneaky power swaying others in his favour. The Ukrainian certainly came on strong in the championship rounds but would lose a unanimous decision with scores of 116-112, 115-113 and 115-113.
Many felt Lomachenko had did enough to win – promoter Bob Arum was even heard at the press conference telling him he deserved the decision – and there were some calls of robbery on social media, although they were misjudged for a fight that close.
Speaking on the All The Smoke Fight channel, Haney revealed that public opinion led him to avoid watching the tape back.
“During the fight I was confident that I won. I knew that it was a close fight, though. You never know what they’re scoring, what they’re seeing, but I definitely felt like I won the fight.
After the fight I felt like I won, then people are trying to bang it in your head the you lost, you lose, robbery, robbery… So I didn’t want to watch the fight for a long time. It was a fight that I just didn’t feel like comfortable watching it.
I finally watched it, I’m like I won this fight! I know I won this fight. There was times I got touched that I didn’t like, then it turned into my favourite fight. That’s my favourite fight of mine.”
After the win, Haney moved up to the super-lightweight ranks, vacating his undisputed status but winning the WBC belt at 140 at the first time of asking against Regis Prograis.
Then came the Ryan Garcia saga. The latter came in overweight so wasn’t eligible to win the belt, but a deal was made for the fight to go ahead regardless. Against the odds, Haney was dropped three times on his way to a points loss. Post-fight it was revealed Garcia had tested positive for banned substance Ostarine on two occasions, forcing the New York State Athletic Commission to overturn the result to a no contest and ban him for one year.
Haney is now eyeing a return but hasn’t firmed up the details.
