Devin Haney vs. Vasyl Lomachenko – preview for tonight

By Brian Webber: Devin Haney appeared to rattle the usually calm demeanor of former multi-division world champion Vasyl Lomachenko by giving him a tough sufficient push to mimic a head-on automobile crash on the weigh-in on Friday.

Tonight, Haney (29-0, 15 KOs) will look to benefit from Lomachenko’s ruffled feathers once they meet in the primary occasion on EESPN PPV in a ten:00 p.m. ET occasion on the MGM Grand Backyard Enviornment in Las Vegas.

For Lomachenko to win tonight, he should get inside, and struggle by way of the avalanche of tie-ups that spoiling, fight-slowing Haney will provoke. Loma doesn’t possess the scale to struggle the a lot taller, longer Haney from the surface, so it’s essential that he will get in shut and might discover a technique to work whereas being held.

Haney will put up his WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, and The Ring light-weight titles tonight in opposition to Lomachenko.

That {hardware} is important for Haney to carry onto, as they’re the important thing to getting profitable fights in opposition to Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis and Shakur Stevenson.

With out these belts, Haney has no method of engaging Tank Davis and Shakur Stevenson into preventing him. Haney isn’t a star but and doesn’t have a big social media following like Ryan Garcia to get fights primarily based on his reputation.

Loma can’t let Haney clinch all evening

Lomachenko is coming off of a disappointing efficiency in opposition to his ex-sparring associate Jamaine Ortiz in a struggle he got here near dropping. If not for Jamaine gassing late, the 35-year-old Lomachenko would have suffered his third profession defeat, and he wouldn’t have been getting this title shot in opposition to Haney tonight.

For his half, Haney dominated former unified light-weight champion Georg Kambosos Jr final 12 months, beating him twice. Nonetheless, the performances weren’t nice to look at due to the spoiling ways that Haney used to win.

Haney utilized extreme holding, unlawful stiff arms, and motion to make struggle with Kambosos ugly to look at.

Throughout clinches, Haney pulled a sneaky transfer the place he relaxed, after which simply earlier than the 2 could be separated, h would hammer the unsuspecting Kambosos with clubbing photographs to the top.

It made Haney look sneaky. Apparently, Kambosos by no means caught on to this tactic, and Haney took benefit of this the whole evening together with his quite a few clinches.

Nonstop clinching has change into too embedded into Haney’s sport for him to cease utilizing that tactic for tonight’s contest with Lomachenko. Haney depends on his holding as his #1 defensive technique to forestall his opponents from hitting him.

Haney’s #2 defensive technique is the straight arm he makes use of, which is meant to be unlawful, however the low-quality referees that permeate the game on this period of boxing don’t police this tactic.

Haney’s push was premeditated

“I used to be considering, ‘Why did he do it? What’s the purpose?’  I don’t perceive,” mentioned Keyshawn Davis to Struggle Hub TV when requested about his response to Devin Haney pushing Vayl Lomachenko on the weigh-in.

“It’s a push. We fighters are males,” mentioned Keyshawn when requested in regards to the danger that Haney did of probably injuring Lomachenko with the best way his head was whiplashed by the surprising shove.

“Lomachenko got here again after the scenario, they usually mentioned, ‘Lomachenko, what did you consider the push?’ and he mentioned, ‘No energy.’ No, by no means [Loma is not intimidated by being shoved by Haney].

“That was unhealthy. I believe that was in his thoughts even earlier than it got here out,”  mentioned heavyweight prospect Richard Torrez about his perception that Haney’s push was premeditated.

“I believe he thought, ‘I’m going to go up there, and I’m going to push. It doesn’t matter what occurs, I’m going to go on the market and push as a result of Lomachenko simply got here on the market like this,” mentioned Torrez, imitating the calm, impassive demeanor of Lomachenko in the course of the face-off with Haney.

Battle of sport plans for Haney vs. Lomachenko

“I believe it’s a battle of sport plans. I believe whoever has the higher sport plan, it’s going to take their toll,” mentioned Torrez. “Persons are going to say this wasn’t an excellent struggle, however the factor is, I don’t know who’s going to have that higher sport plan.

“Whoever comes throughout with the higher mentality and higher teaching behind it, I believe they’re going to take the cake. 300 novice fights, he has a number of playing cards,” mentioned Torrez about Lomachenko.

“Meaning issues are getting heated up. As soon as the bell rings, they’re each going to work. Loma is mature, and he’s seen loads. Haney is youthful. Loma is like, ‘I’ll see you tomorrow,’” mentioned coach Robert Garcia to Struggle Hub TV, speaking about Devin Haney pushing Vasyl Lomachenko on the weigh-in on Friday.

“The underdog, the smaller man, however I believe that advantages him as a result of he’s so good together with his footwork,” mentioned Robert in regards to the two-time Olympic gold medalist Lomachenko, smaller than Haney.

“He fights on the within and may give Devin a number of hassle. When you ask myself, I nonetheless choose Devin to win by choice, however actually, I believe it’s near a 50-50 struggle as a result of Loma is nice together with his footwork, good velocity, and good combos, and Devin has by no means actually been hit with punches he doesn’t see.

“He will probably be hit with punches he doesn’t see with Loma, so it will likely be fairly attention-grabbing. I can’t wait to see the struggle. It’s laborious for me to select a winner, however I lean in direction of Devin as a result of he’s youthful, more energizing, and has the attain benefit, however I’m telling you, if Loma ready effectively for this struggle, he may pull off a shock.

“Loma is an expert fighter, and I’m certain he and his dad did the fitting coaching camp and proper sport plan. I’m fairly certain they’ve sport plan, and they’ll exit and do their finest.

“Haney is extra about constructing the struggle, ensuring followers get into the struggle and tune in. They’re each doing their job, however Loma is a bit more mature and skilled. He’s an expert; they’re each professionals and can put up a terrific struggle,” mentioned Robert.