Devin Haney puts his undisputed lightweight championship on the line against former unified champion Vasiliy Lomachenko in one of the most anticipated fights this year (ESPN+ PPV, 10 p.m. ET, with undercards on ESPN on Saturday at 8 p.m. ET and early prelims at 6 p.m. ET on ESPN+).
Haney (29-0, 15 KOs) unified all four major titles with a unanimous decision against George Kambosos Jr. in June 2022 and he defended those belts in a rematch in October.
Lomachenko (17-2, 11 KOs) lost his belts against Teofimo Lopez Jr. in October 2020, but has won three consecutive fights since then, including decisions against Richard Commey (2021) and Jemaine Ortiz (October 2022).
Can Haney’s speed and youth keep Lomachenko at bay or will Lomachenko’s experience and excellent footwork be too much for the champion?
Former two division champion and current ESPN boxing analyst Timothy Bradley Jr. breaks down their paths to victory and picks the winner. ESPN betting expert Ian Parker gives his best bet for the main event as well.
The matchup
Haney, 24, and Lomachenko, 35, are elite boxers. Both have unique styles that make this fight very competitive and entertaining in different ways. Lomachenko’s technical proficiency, footwork and experience allow him to outmaneuver most opponents while landing precise, solid punches. And, Haney’s hand speed, footwork, timing and flawless execution make him a dangerous offensive threat, as well.
Both fighters are smart inside the ring, making this battle the ultimate chess match. Every move must serve a purpose. However, both men’s strategies will likely require some in-fight adjustments throughout the bout.
Haney could be the aggressor in spots, taking advantage of Lomachenko’s bad habits with foot positioning when he disengages, while Lomachenko can take advantage of Haney’s apparent vulnerability and inability to fight on the inside.
Lomachenko’s snappy short-armed combinations can fluster even the sport’s greatest counterpunchers, including Haney. Lomachenko’s combinations are blazing fast and accurate.
Stylistically, Haney is a conservative pure boxer who likes to box from the outside, at a distance behind his solid technical skills, formidable hand speed and superior athleticism. However, Lomachenko’s footwork and angles can make it difficult for Haney to get into a rhythm and keep him off balance to land significant, meaningful punches.
Ultimately the outcome of the fight will depend on who executes their game plan better. If Haney can keep Lomachenko at a distance and control the pace of the fight behind his educated jab and excellent footwork, he will have the best chance of winning the fight on points. On the flip side, if Lomachenko can get past Haney’s jab and get on the inside to work Haney’s body, he could unsurprisingly win this match in a stoppage or on points.
This will be a test of skills, wills and abilities. Both bring fascinating styles into the ring, making this an epic showdown and must-watch TV.
How Haney wins
Haney carries a unique blend of boxing styles, temperament and youthfulness — with a heavy dose of experience. Without question, this will be Haney’s most challenging match to date but win or lose, this won’t be the biggest as he continues to fight. Perhaps this is just the beginning, and a win will project him farther up everyone’s pound-for-pound list. In fights like this, when you get a young and skillful star who’s physically bigger, faster and perceivably stronger, that often beats a well-accomplished older fighter whose best days may be behind him.
Lomachenko is shorter in height, standing at 5-foot-7 compared to Haney’s 5-foot-8. However, there is an enormous reach disparity of 5½ inches in favor of Haney, which should assist him considerably.
What makes the champion so difficult to face begins with his lead hand, the jab. It’s superfast, accurate and occasionally stiffened with his excellent footwork and good fundamentals. What Haney can throw after his jab against the southpaw Lomachenko is straight right hands, set up off his lead hand controls or feints — known as the fencing technique.
Haney can also throw swift counter uppercuts as a lead with both hands and off his back foot while transitioning to defense. The young champion can throw innovative counters from a safe distance, moving forward or backward, not allowing Lomachenko near his core or close enough to land any offense. Adding to his physical attributes are his lightning fast hands and sharp combinations with tremendous emphasis on defensive responsibility afterward. He is a devastating counterpuncher who insists on taking advantage of any mistakes made by his opponents.
Haney’s work rate will come into play, matching Lomachenko’s high punch output and fast pace. In addition to Haney’s mental toughness and elite conditioning. He has shown that he can operate under severe pressure, rising to every occasion, thus far. Just ask Kambosos. Stamina has never been a problem for Haney, even when he struggled to make weight against Kambosos in their rematch. The consensus was that he might fade late, but he showed zero signs and smoothly cruised to victory in stylish fashion. I expect him to be in the best condition possible in the most significant moment of his young career.
How Lomachenko wins
Lomachenko is known for his exceptional footwork, quick reflexes and ability to get around his opponents seamlessly to obtain an advantageous position using angles and punching with power. Maneuvers like this require a highly skilled fighter with impeccable timing, which is a staple for Lomachenko’s success.
Lomachenko controls the fight’s pace with his intellect, creating a hyperactive environment with his pre-slip head movement and feints harnessed by a dynamic footwork and misdirecting hand feints to keep opponents off balance while getting into position to land accurate punches from unexpected angles.
His two Olympic gold medals are a sure indicator of his adaptability to deal with different styles and adjusting quickly throughout a fight. Lomachenko’s ability to figure out rhythms and fighters’ punch sequences and patterns sets him apart and enables him to compete in the weight class he desires.
His game is formed around midrange to inside, whereas the champion is proficient from outside to midrange.
Footwork is the most essential skill in boxing. It’s not timing, punching power, etc. — footwork allows a boxer to move around the ring effectively, avoid punches and set up offensive attacks. Try standing in one spot in the ring without moving and see how far you get in a battle. Good footwork enables fighters to maintain their balance and control their movements, which is vital to being able to deliver accurate and powerful punches while also evading an opponent’s attacks quickly.
Lomachenko’s footwork and Haney’s defensive inconsistency when facing a southpaw can heighten Lomachenko’s chances. Lomachenko’s counters and 2-1 combination (straight left, swivel jab) should work against Haney’s default Philly shell (Mayweather’s shoulder roll) and take advantage of Haney’s openings created by his long frame and torso. There should be a lot of surface area on the body of the young champion for Lomachenko to land his offense.
Who wins?
A year ago, I would have picked Lomachenko to win this fight after seeing him against Masayoshi Nakatani and watching Haney against Joseph “JoJo” Diaz. But time waits on no one, and that biological clock of greatness could have already passed by Lomachenko. Haney has improved and shown tremendous confidence and skill in fights of this magnitude. I’m not entirely counting Lomachenko out, as great fighters always seem to have one reserve outstanding performance left in them, but I am still riding with the younger Haney — 7 rounds to 5 for a decision win.
The best bet, by Ian Parker
Lomachenko cannot afford to take too many rounds to download information on his opponent and expect to make a comeback against Haney. Haney is too smart and is excellent at avoiding risk. If Lomachenko can’t get going early and waits too long to land with his power, the jab and defense of Haney should get the biggest win of his career. Prediction: Haney by decision.