Fans, fighters dispute ‘robbery’ as Devin Haney defeats Vasiliy Lomachenko to retain undisputed titles
- Former champs Andre Ward and Timothy Bradley slam talk of robbery after Haney secures a decision in razor-close fight at MGM Grand
- ‘That’s the narrative casual fans will have and it starts to impede on the real narrative of the fight,’ Ward says on broadcast
Devin Haney defeated Vasiliy Lomachenko on Saturday night to retain his undisputed WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO lightweight world titles – but fans watching in the arena and at home were not happy.
A cascade of boos rained down from the crowd at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas when the judges’ decision was read out, while social media was alight with cries of “robbery”.
The 24-year-old American Haney took home scorecards from the judges of 116-112, 115-113, and 115-113, after Ukraine’s Lomachenko had rallied in the later rounds to leave many onlookers thinking he had done enough.
“Lomachenko is a future Hall of Famer, it was a blessing. I got to take my hat off to him, he was my toughest opponent by far, he’s very crafty and we put on a great fight for the fans,” Haney said after extending his undefeated record to 30-0.
“He turns it up in the championship rounds, he’s a great fighter. This fight put me in the history books forever, it means everything to me and my team.”
It was a razor close match-up.
Haney swept the 12th round, according to the judges – had he not, two of the scores would have been 114-114, resulting in a majority draw