DEVIN HANEY may have landed himself in trouble after pushing Vasiliy Lomachenko.
The incident took place at last night’s ceremonial weigh-in for their fight later tonight at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Afterwards the Las Vegas Journal reported that the Nevada State Athletic Commission ‘intends to request a disciplinary hearing at its next meeting’. Yahoo Sports Ryan Young wrote that the NSAC had ‘filed a complaint’ and requested that Lomachenko has a physical examination before the fight. Haney may face a financial penalty for his actions.
It was an out of character move by Haney 29-0 (15) who has been vocal during the build-up about his dislike for the Ukrainian. Such was the strength of the shove Lomachenko was sent hurtling backwards but did not fall over.
“I want to beat him bad. I want to send him into retirement,” he said during Top Rank’s Blood, Sweat & Tears promotional series on YouTube.
During their face-to-face Lomachenko 17-2 (11) did not provoke the lightweight champion or do anything to cause anger in the American. Instead, the 35-year-old simply smiled.
Both fighters spoke to ESPN about what had just taken place.
“That was just the start. You see how easily I pushed him. He’s a smaller man and I’m gonna impose my will on him,” said Haney.
“He’s mine. Now, he’s mine,” said Lomachenko.
“He don’t have the power. He’s scared.”
Several hours beforehand both fighters stepped on the scales behind closed doors and made the 135lbs weight limit. Haney weighed 134.9lbs while Lomachenko was 135lbs.
