Vasyl Lomachenko Sees the Devin Haney Fight as His Last Shot at Undisputed
On May 20, former unified champion Vasyl “Hi-Tech” Lomachenko (17-2, 11KO) will get a chance at the undisputed crown by facing Devin “The Dream” Haney (29-0, 15KO). Moreover, he sees this fight as a last chance to become undisputed.
A QUICK LOOK INTO THE PAST
Hi-Tech lost his titles to former unified champion Teofimo Lopez Jr in 2020. Ever since, Lomachenko has maintained a desire to regain the titles in pursuit of becoming undisputed. He bounced back with solid wins over Masayoshi Nakatani and former IBF champion Richard Commey in 2021.
In 2022, the Ukrainian was given the opportunity to regain the titles as the frontrunner to fight then-unified champion George Kambosos Jr. However, he decided to forego the fight to return home and help defend his country from the Russian invasion. The former unified champion returned to the ring ten months later in a highly competitive bout against Jamaine Ortiz in October 2022.
LOMACHENKO BELIEVES IT’S NOW OR NEVER TO BECOME UNDISPUTED
While speaking with members of the media, Lomachenko was very candid about why this fight is so important.
“I always (tried to) unified all titles, and I was trying [at] 126, 130, and 135. Only in these weight classes do I have a chance to unify all titles, so it’s very, very important.”
“I think for me, I’d be honest with you, it’s the last chance for me [to] be undisputed world champion, that’s why it’s very important.”
Hi-Tech is right to view this as a last opportunity to accomplish the goal of becoming undisputed. At the age of 35 years-old, the window of opportunity has gotten smaller. Moreover, the division is loaded with young talent that wants a crack at the titles next in guys like Frank Martin, William Zepeda, and two-divisional champion Shakur Stevenson.
