DEVIN Haney is looking to make a statement when he fights Vasiliy Lomachenko this Saturday night.
The 24-year-old defends his undisputed lightweight crown against the former divisional king at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas.
For Haney this is not just about victory, it means more than that. This is his chance to rubber stamp his authority over the division and bring the curtain down on a legendary career.
“I want to beat him bad. I want to send him into retirement,” he said during episode 2 of Top Rank’s show Blood Sweat & Tears.
Haney has developed a grudge against the Ukrainian that stems from this fight not being made in 2019 when he began calling him out.
Since then, the careers of both men have travelled in different directions. Lomachenko suffered a shattering defeat to Teofimo Lopez in October 2020, but boxing was put into perspective when his country was invaded by Russia in February 2022.
Eleven months ago Haney became the champion when he travelled to Australia to beat George Kambosos Jr before a successful first defence in the rematch Down Under.
Lomachenko’s points win against Jamaine Ortiz last October helped pave the way for a showdown against Haney to take place. The 35-year-old southpaw now finds himself in the unfamiliar position of underdog ahead of Saturday night.
“Loma has never been an underdog, this is the first time,” Haney commented.
“This time he’s fighting a bigger guy, a strong guy, faster guy, younger guy. All odds are stacked against him and on May 20 I will show the world why. Whatever he brings on fight night it won’t be enough, I’m going to make him look average, I’m going to make him look ordinary.
“I’m gonna embarrass him and he won’t be the same.”
