Controversy on the Cards! Devin Haney defeats Vasiliy Lomachenko: Full results, video highlights, play
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Controversy on the Cards! Devin Haney defeats Vasiliy Lomachenko: Full results, video highlights, play

May 25, 2023

Devin Haney (30-0, 15 KOs) was an undisputed champion, but also a young fighter with something to prove going into Saturday's bout with Vasiliy Lomachenko (17-3, 11 KOs), an aging legend with a chip on his shoulder. They had been circling each other for a few years, but this weekend they finally got in the ring to find out who's the better.

The fight was a technical masterpiece (see our post-fight analysis below) but still managed to end in controversy as Haney took a decision win many fans felt he didn't deserve. Read our live play by play from Saturday to follow the developing action in real time as it happened Saturday night.

Round 1: Interestingly, seems like a pro-Loma crowd in the building tonight. Haney hasn't won anyone over with his pre-fight antics. In any case, here we go. Haney clearly the much much bigger man. Will need to make use of that. Haney said he was going to push Loma back, he's started that way. Jabbing and following with straight rights. Now Loma finds an angle inside and lands a nice little combination. This is an open-stance matchup, Loma southpaw and Haney orthodox, so if Loma can get round the outside he’ll be in business. Hasn't taken long to start finding his range here, though Haney punches with him and forces him back to range. Lomachenko has started fast this time. Haney is making him miss a fair bit though. Tight round, 10-9 Loma

Round 2: Haney has to be wary, because he is evading shots well but you did see him get a little bit off-balance already in round 1. He really needs to prevent that circling more than try to deal with it constantly. Now he's pressed forward and works the body. And now an overhand right. He's doing well this round to land the bodyshots when Loma tries to get in to work. And catches him with a right upstairs. The Loma responds, closes the gaps and lets a combination go upstairs. Loma finishes strong, but Haney did start the round well. 10-9 Haney, 19-19

Round 3: They tangle at the start of round 3 as Loma tries to slip round the outside. Haney's trying to control the movement with straight rights upstairs and to the body. Effective stopping the movement to Loma's left, but leaves the other way open. Now Loma ducks in and lets three to the body go. He's getting inside efffectively this round, and Haney's holding more this time. Now Loma's really warming up, combinations upstairs and down. Haney is landing big single shots, but not dissuading the smaller man now. 10-9 Loma, 29-28

Round 4: Haney pushing forward to start the round. That's the gameplan, he's not been consistently able to. Loma circles him and gets his work off. Haney does catch him with a straight right, but Loma responds with straights of his own. Haney is backing off now. He's really struggling with Loma's movement in close. Big bodyshots from Haney. He's making Loma follow now, that's what he needs. They tie up and fall over. Good round for Haney. 10-9 Haney, 38-38

Round 5: Some odd advice from Haney's trainer and dad in the corner, telling Haney not to step off even though he's just done well l on the backfoot. Haney listens, and comes out pushing again. He is landing rights to the body, that's working well. But whenever he misses, coming forward, Loma gets around. Haney tries to obstruct with his lead hand out, Loma comes under it, pushes him to the ropes and lands. Loma if anything winning shoving matches that occur, though Haney has used his height well to position himself when Loma tries to stick inside. Good work from both this round. 10-9 Haney, 48-47

Round 6: If Haney wins this, it's the bodyshots that’ll do it. They’re working for him. Haney has a bit more success, but when he tries to hold his feet and exchange, Loma overwhelms a bit with volume. And Loma snaps his head back with a big step-in jab. More big shots to the body from Haney. He also gets a warning for shots behind the head. This is suuuper close. 10-9 Loma, 57-57

Round 7: Haney's dad now changes his tack, says stay on the outside. Loma opens the round with a lovely combination catching Haney napping a bit at mid range. They clinch up and Loma spins and throws Haney away. Haney might be bigger but Loma knows how tp push around. Short right from Haney lands upstairs, then to the body slightly low. Loma had his shots in there too. Now another moment when Haney backs up in a straight line and gets caught with his head on center line. Can't afford to get lackadaisical against Loma. Then Haney feints a jab and lands a left hook instead. Loma lands to close the round. 10-9 Loma, 67-66

Round 8: Loma having some success working over Haney's jab. A sticky jab, leaving it to obscure the view, is useful often but Loma's using it against him. Loma slips, no knockdown. Haney getting a little bit wild. Loma mixing his timing, landing some softer shots then sharper ones. Haney tries a big right to the body. We’re back to the pattern from earlier, Haney's throwing single big shots, Loma more consistent work. And Haney snaps Haney's head back with a step-in jab, and again. For such a good defensive fighter, he leaves his head on center-line oddly often, Haney. Good 1-2 from him before the clapper, but Loma closes again with the jab. 10-9 Loma, 77-75

Round 9: I’ve got Loma up, but this could be going any way really. Haney's done great body work, which Loma's not doing. Now he walks Loma on to a left hook, turning and drawing him in. Then a straight left by Loma snaps the head back. Then an odd 1-2, a jab from in real close and a left as Haney steps back. Haney's shoulder-bumping pretty well to stop Loma getting around his lead hand, these last few rounds. Haney looking a little tired, but not showing in his game really. Did a good job here keeping Loma directly in front of him. 10-9 Haney, 86-85 Loma

Round 10: Slightly slower round to start here. Haney seemed a little worried in between rounds, but his dad kept him calm. And Loma hurts Haney! They were in close and sharp shots land! Haney a little out of position, but he's recovered. Nice short bodyshot from Haney, but Loma barrels inside and works again. Haney less happy to work in close now, and Loma's happy to stay in the pocket more. Clearest round of the fight. 10-9 Loma, 96-94

Round 11: We are starting to see Haney slow a bit. Not wilted, but the timing is off. And Loma steps in, short right knocks Haney back. Haney trying to spin with Loma, it's not his game. That head is on center-line all the time too. We’re seeing the holes in his defence. He's getting bullied. And Loma unloads a big combination. In the pocket at will. The counters aren't coming, and Haney's technique has gone out the window. Loma does back off a bit in the final minute of the round, but Haney is doing nothing. 10-9 Loma, 106-103

Round 12: Haney really needs to find something here. He's lost his cool. He might even still be winning this on the official cards, but he can't take that risk. Loma's feeling himself. Haney does do good work to start the round, working the body again. Now Loma works in and throws those combos. Pushes Haney into the corner, works upstairs. He hasn't hit the body too much today, but Haney's head is just there for him now. Haney lands a good right hand counter, but again, single shots to 3-5 shot combos. Loma's countering the counters. This round is closer, but it's still a Loma round. 10-9 Loma, 116-112

I have it quite wide, but it could be a lot closer. Potentially could still see a Haney victory, but it seems unlikely with Loma so dominant in that last quarter. Judge's cards coming up now.

116-112 Haney is wild. The result overall maybe not a robbery, but it seems harsh. The crowd aren't happy either. This will be controversial.

IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO world lightweight title fight: Devin Haney UD Vasiliy Lomachenko

116-112, 115-113, 115-113

LOMA HAS HANEY HURT. #HaneyLoma pic.twitter.com/dKTLb7ot0o

Three rounds in and we're wihessing chess at the highest level ♟️👑 pic.twitter.com/9uZSV5jW5x

Super-featherweight: Oscar Valdez UD Adam Lopez

MADNESS TO END IT.@OscarValdez56 & @BluNoseLopez never disappoint 👏 #HaneyLoma pic.twitter.com/5fZHQnUXcg

Lightweight: Raymond Muratalla TKO2 Jeremia Nakathila

DEMOLITION.Welcome to the elite, Raymond Muratalla 👏#HaneyLoma | https://t.co/5NUYllW4TG pic.twitter.com/cCydKwXPFI

WBO world super flyweight title: Junto Nakatani KO12 Andrew Moloney

WORLD CHAMPION 🏆Nakatani does it in devastating fashion 🇯🇵 #HaneyLoma pic.twitter.com/PtGRLRp4g3

NAKATANI FLOORS MOLONEY IN ROUND ELEVEN. #HaneyLoma pic.twitter.com/pHG2dgAJj5

Middleweight: Nico Ali Walsh vs. Danny Rosenberger

Super bantamweight: Floyd Diaz UD8 Luis Saavedra

Money moves. pic.twitter.com/WtHnA49L80

Lightweight: Abdullah Mason TKO6 Desmond Lyon

C L I N I C A L .Abdullah Mason continues to look like the truth 🤫#HaneyLoma Undercard | LIVE on @ESPNPlus pic.twitter.com/aZsTXx2cGJ

Middleweight: Amari Jones TKO6 Pachino Hill

Amari Jones is relentless 😤#HaneyLoma Undercard | LIVE on @ESPNPlus pic.twitter.com/uUNHm2K5A7

Lightweight: Emiliano Vargas TKO2 Rafael Jasso

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Lukasz Fenrych is an analyst and writer. He has been covering combat sports since 2019, and joined Bloody Elbow's boxing team in 2022.

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IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO world lightweight title fight: Devin Haney UD Vasiliy Lomachenko Super-featherweight: Oscar Valdez UD Adam Lopez Lightweight: Raymond Muratalla TKO2 Jeremia Nakathila WBO world super flyweight title: Junto Nakatani KO12 Andrew Moloney Middleweight: Nico Ali Walsh vs. Danny Rosenberger Super bantamweight: Floyd Diaz UD8 Luis Saavedra Lightweight: Abdullah Mason TKO6 Desmond Lyon Middleweight: Amari Jones TKO6 Pachino Hill Lightweight: Emiliano Vargas TKO2 Rafael Jasso