Devin Haney retained his undisputed lightweight championship with a unanimous decision over Vasiliy Lomachenko on Saturday. The decision left a buzz across boxing as many believed Lomachenko should have won. Nelly was included.
Lomachenko had a dominant second half of the fight after Haney got the upper hand early. Feeling he was robbed, he cried in the locker room, stating, “I don’t want to talk about the decision. All people see what happened here today.”
Speaking after the fight, Haney blasted those going against his win. “The judges had a unanimous decision. That’s all that matters. Each judge was on the same page when it came to that decision. I got the victory,” Haney said.
Fight fans were in an uproar over the weekend at the result of the Devin Haney – Vasiliy Lomachenko fight for the lightweight championship. Nelly also wasn’t feeling it.
In case you missed it, Haney won the fight unanimously in one of the more questionable decisions in boxing’s recent history.
Hitting Instagram, Nelly let his feelings fly about the match.
“I’m just letting y’all know I’m done with boxing,” Nelly said. “They will never get another motherfucking dime out of me. This is a travesty. I am done with boxing.
“Devin Haney is a very talented boxer. I have nothing against that young man. Much respect. He was not the better man today. At most, he got a draw. Man, that man [Lomachenko] got robbed.”
Devin Haney is one of the greatest active boxers. The WBC lightweight champion since 2019 and undisputed champion since 2022, Haney is 30-0 in his illustrious career. One of the defining factors of his style is his stamina. Going into his May 20 bout, his last six bouts had gone a full 12 rounds. But his latest fight would likely be his most challenging.
Vasiliy Lomachenko is a living legend. The Ukrainian fighter is a two-time gold medallist and former WBA and WBO title holder. 17-2 in his career, the only thing he didn’t have on his resume was an undisputed title. That’s what led to the blockbuster fight with Haney in front of a packed crowd at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Haney Wins But Fans Are Unconvinced
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MAY 20: Devin Haney celebrates after defeating Vasyl Lomachenko of Ukraine during their Undisputed lightweight championship fight at MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 20, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Haney dominated the first half of the fight, working the body and jabbing the Ukrainian hard. However, Lomachenko rallied in the last six rounds as he showcased his trademark multi-angled flurries. Despite Lomachenko’s work, Haney defended his title and scored his seventh consecutive 12-round, unanimous decision victory. But fans, and Lomachenko, remain unconvinced. “I don’t want to talk about the decision. All [the] people see what happened here today,” said Lomachenko, who cried in his locker room after the fight. Additionally, Lomachenko’s manager, Egas Klmias, called the decision a “robbery”.
The fight was also proceeded by a shove at the weigh-in that will cost Haney $4 million, a source told ESPN. Additionally, fans were inclined to agree. “Really feel for Loma. Rejected the chance at undisputed vs Kambosos, then for me gets this win vs Haney taken away from him. How one judge gave Haney round 10 i’ll never know…” one wrote on Twitter. “Biggest Robbery of the year LOMA won that fight” added another. Klmias also indicated that he was preparing to file an appeal for the fight. The sentiment was also echoed by boxer Shakur Stevenson. “Lomachenko should be undisputed champion. He won that fight,” said Stevenson, ESPN’s No. 9 pound-for-pound boxer. “He landed the cleaner punches and pushed the pace.” Do you think the judges made the wrong decision? Let us know in the comments.
Olympic and boxing champion Vasiliy Lomachenko is in Ukraine and joined a territorial defense battalion to defend against the Russian invasion. According to ESPN, Lomachenko was in Greece at the start of the invasion and flew into Bucharest, traveled through Romania, and reached his family in Odessa.
Earlier in February, Lomachenko agreed to an undisputed lightweight championship title fight with George Kammbosos. That match is currently set for June 4 in the United States. Over the weekend, Lomachenko uploaded an image to Facebook in military fatigues and with a gun, additional soldiers can be seen in the background.
Last week, boxing champions Wladimir Klitschko and Vitali Klitschko joined the defense of their home nation of Ukraine. “I’m calling to all international partners to observe this tragedy that is happening nowadays in Ukraine,” Wladimir said. ” … I just want to tell you we must stay united against this aggression, against Russian aggression. Don’t let it continue happening in Ukraine. Don’t let it happen in Europe and eventually the world. United, we’re strong. Support Ukraine.”
Wladimir Klitschko and Vitali Klitschko launch a joint video appeal after Vladimir Putin launched an invasion of Ukraine by Russia…
