Former three-weight world champion, Jorge Linares, has shared his opinion on a potential Devin Haney vs Vasiliy Lomachenko matchup following the Ukrainian’s return to ring action last weekend.
Linares was speaking at Madison Square Garden, New York, ahead of ‘Loma’s first ring outing since December 2021 due to the ongoing events in his native Ukraine. Lomachenko appeared to put on a tame performance against previously unbeaten Jermaine Ortiz, making a slow start before eventually winning via unanimous decision in a surprisingly close contest. The judges scored the fight 115-113, 116-112 and 117-111 to ‘Loma’.
After the fight, the undisputed champion, Haney, entered the ring to hype a scrap between the pair. Speaking to FightHype.com, Linares said he leaned slightly towards the American for the win if that happens next.
“For me if that fight happens, I think 60/40 for Haney. Haney has the best timing right now. He’s quick, he’s fast, he has power and he moves so well in the ring.”
“Lomachenko’s Lomachenko, but [Haney’s] a different weight, different body.”
The legendary Venezuelan has of course shared the ring with both men, losing to Lomachenko via tenth round stoppage in May 2018 in a brilliant fight and facing defeat via unanimous decision to Haney in Las Vegas in May 2021.
The fight is heavily expected to happen next, giving the Ukrainian a shot at all the lightweight treasure. Both men are currently promoted by Top Rank, which will make it all the easier. Linares’ comments about Haney’s size come after the American’s convincing win over George Kambosos in their rematch in Melbourne, Australia last month where Haney sparked debate on social media after looking worse for wear on the scales during the weigh in for the fight.
‘The Dream’ is convinced he’s got at least one more fight left at 135 lb, and it looks like this might just be it.