2016 BWAA Trainer of the Year, Shane McGuigan has laid out his prediction ahead of this weekend’s undisputed lightweight title clash between Devin Haney and Vasiliy Lomachenko.
McGuigan has made headlines this week after splitting from heavyweight title contender, Daniel Dubois, ahead of a proposed fight for Oleksandr Usyk’s unified world titles.
However, there is a different Ukrainian in the limelight on Saturday night, as the once pound-for-pound superstar, Loma, seeks to reclaim his throne at the peak of the 135lb division.
In an interview with Pro Boxing Fans, McGuigan said that he was one of few that is picking Lomachenko to roll back the years and outclass Devin Haney, who has ten years on the former three-weight champion.
McGuigan explained that, even if ‘The Matrix’ is past his sell-by date, it should still be enough to overcome the relatively untested Haney.
“I am leaning towards Lomachenko, points. He is f***ing mustard. He is an old, slightly slowed-down version of himself, but I think that will still be enough.
I think Devin Haney is a good all-rounder; decent power, not a massive puncher, decent pop, good defensively, but defensive fighters with Lomachenko, that is not the one.”
“He doesn’t like people putting it on him and he doesn’t like power, Teofimo Lopez hit him with a couple of hard shots early, put him in his shell for a bit. Yeah, he didn’t let his hands go because of his shoulder, but it was the same thing with Salido back in the day.”
Lomachenko will head into the ring on Saturday night with a point to prove as he aims to achieve his career-long goal of becoming the undisputed king.
The event will be available to watch live on Sky Sports from 1AM for UK fans, whilst those across the pond will be be coughing up $59.99 for the ESPN+ pay-per-view.