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Lomachenko Had The Perfect Response To Devin Haney’s Weigh-In Shove

Written by Kerr Ferguson on 20th May 2023.

Haney Lomachenko shove

Devin Haney put hands on Vasiliy Lomachenko during the pair’s final face off ahead of the undisputed lightweight fight in Las Vegas.

24-year-old Haney puts his four belts on the line against Lomachenko, who is ten years his elder in a classic and wildly intriguing case of youth versus experience.

After both had made weight – Haney 134.9lb and Lomachenko 135lb – they came face to face for the final time without gloves on. Haney – seemingly hyping up himself in front of a silent, staring Loma – pushed his opponent in the chest.

For his stunt, ESPN reports Haney will likely be fined. Lomachenko was unfazed.

Despite the Ukrainian being caught off guard and moving across the stage, he later told ESPN that he felt Haney’s lack of power in the push. In fact, he sounded more assured than ever.

“Now he’s mine. He don’t have the power. Because he’s scared. He’s scared. Because I see right now. I see right now and a hundred percent [he’s scared].”

It will likely set Haney out to prove a point and perhaps deviate from his game plan. He has been critical of people questioning his power in the past, and even asked Jorge Linares to rate it after their fight.

He admitted his emotions got the better of him at the weigh-in before claiming his shove was a sign of what was to come inside the ropes.

“The time has finally come. It’s been a long time coming. It’s been four years. I’ve always dreamed of, you know, facing off with him and the emotions set in now that it’s finally time.”

“That was just the start. You see how easy I pushed him? He’s a smaller man and I’m gonna impose my will on him.”

Haney enters the ring the favourite, and it’s his chance to add more legitimacy to his status as best in the division after his first title defence against a valiant but not elite George Kambosos Jr.

As for Lomachenko, the young American in the opposite corner stands in the way of a career-long goal – and fans know better than to count him out.