Devin Haney (30-0, 15 KOs) retained his undisputed lightweight crown with a razor-thin unanimous decision victory against Ukraine's three-division world champion Vasiliy Lomachenko (17-3, 11 KOs) Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The fight began with an aggressive start from Lomachenko, who used his signature combination of feints, footwork and head movement to close the distance against Haney.
On the inside, Lomachenko had success in landing combination punches, but on the outside, Haney was able to land jabs and hooks to the body. In the later rounds, Lomachenko had more success as his combinations became more frequent.
Haney, on his part, appeared to be hurt by Lomachenko's combos, but he fought back strongly in the final round and managed to lessen Lomachenko's aggression with additional body punches.
Haney made the second defense of his undisputed title with scores of 115-113 2x and 116-112.
Haney said, "Lomachenko is a future Hall of Famer. It was a blessing. He was my toughest opponent by far. He is very crafty, and we put on a great fight for the fans.
“He’s a crafty fighter. He turns it up in the championship rounds. I just have to take my hat off to him. He’s a great fighter.
“This is all experience. Me and my team are going to go back to the house, watch the fight and reflect on it. I’ve been at 135 for a long, long time. This is my 30th fight. I’ve been here at 135 since I was 16 years old. We’re going to go back to the lab and figure out what’s next.”
Loma said,"I don’t want to talk about [the decision]. All the people saw what happened today.
“Before, I thought he would be better. He’s a tough fighter. He’s a good fighter. But he’s not a pound-for-pound fighter.
“I think I showed that I can still be in boxing. I’m in good shape now. And see you next time.
“Right now I want to go back home and support my country and support my Ukrainian orthodox church.”
Ali Walsh and Rosenberger Fight to Draw
Nico Ali Walsh (8-0-1, 5 KOs) wanted to deliver another victory for the fans of his adopted hometown of Las Vegas, but tonight he encountered a stylistic challenge in Danny Rosenberger (13-9-5, 4 KOs) with whom he fought to a split draw after eight rounds of middleweight action.
Ali Walsh worked from a high guard where he tried to pepper Rosenberger with quick jabs and right hands to the body, but Rosenberger used his footwork to prevent Ali Walsh from establishing his offense. Ali Walsh attempted to work on the inside, but Rosenberger would tie him up before finding the center of the ring and continuing to box on the outside. Scores: 77-75 Ali Walsh, 77-75 Rosenberger and 76-76.
Lightweights: Emiliano Fernando Vargas (5-0, 4 KOs) defeated Rafael Jasso (3-1, 1 KO) via second-round knockout. The 19-year-old prodigy worked off a quick jab and lead left hook before landing hard counter punches. After finding his rhythm, Vargas switched to southpaw and a left hook to the body to stop Jasso. Time of stoppage: 1:41.
Junior Featherweights: Floyd Diaz (9-0, 3 KOs) overcame a relentless attack from Mexican warrior Luis Fernando Saavedra (9-9, 3 KOs) en route to a six-round unanimous decision victory. Diaz fought off his back foot for the entire fight, using short counterpunches to land in between Saavedra’s wide punches. Scores: 80-72 2x and 79-73
Lightweights: Abdullah Mason (8-0, 7 KOs) earned his fourth straight stoppage with a TKO over Desmond Lyons (8-3, 2 KOs) at :32 of the sixth round. The Cleveland southpaw's relentless offense was too much for Lyons, who had stopped responding to Mason's punishing shots in the final round, forcing referee Robert Hoyle to call a halt to the fight.
Middleweights: Amari Jones (9-0, 8 KOs) opened the night of action with a sixth-round TKO against Pachino Hill (8-3-1, 6 KOs). Time of stoppage: 1:16.
Nico Ali Walsh (8-0-1, 5 KOs) wanted to deliver another victory for the fans of his adopted hometown of Las Vegas, but tonight he encountered a stylistic challenge in Danny Rosenberger (13-9-5, 4 KOs) with whom he fought to a split draw after eight rounds of middleweight action.
Ali Walsh worked from a high guard where he tried to pepper Rosenberger with quick jabs and right hands to the body, but Rosenberger used his footwork to prevent Ali Walsh from establishing his offense. Ali Walsh attempted to work on the inside, but Rosenberger would tie him up before finding the center of the ring and continuing to box on the outside. Scores: 77-75 Ali Walsh, 77-75 Rosenberger and 76-76.
Lightweights: Emiliano Fernando Vargas (5-0, 4 KOs) defeated Rafael Jasso (3-1, 1 KO) via second-round knockout. The 19-year-old prodigy worked off a quick jab and lead left hook before landing hard counter punches. After finding his rhythm, Vargas switched to southpaw and a left hook to the body to stop Jasso. Time of stoppage: 1:41.
Junior Featherweights: Floyd Diaz (9-0, 3 KOs) overcame a relentless attack from Mexican warrior Luis Fernando Saavedra (9-9, 3 KOs) en route to a six-round unanimous decision victory. Diaz fought off his back foot for the entire fight, using short counterpunches to land in between Saavedra’s wide punches. Scores: 80-72 2x and 79-73
Lightweights: Abdullah Mason (8-0, 7 KOs) earned his fourth straight stoppage with a TKO over Desmond Lyons (8-3, 2 KOs) at :32 of the sixth round. The Cleveland southpaw's relentless offense was too much for Lyons, who had stopped responding to Mason's punishing shots in the final round, forcing referee Robert Hoyle to call a halt to the fight.
Middleweights: Amari Jones (9-0, 8 KOs) opened the night of action with a sixth-round TKO against Pachino Hill (8-3-1, 6 KOs). Time of stoppage: 1:16.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1Z_6dJlPl0