Devin Haney vs Vasiliy Lomachenko - Fight preview, breakdown, predictions, and more

By Lourence Alturino

Image from ESPN.com

The ultimate chess match is among us. Devin Haney defends his undisputed lightweight championship against his biggest test yet, former unified champion, Vasiliy Lomachenko. Two technical geniuses of their craft. Two of the very best at 135. This will be the sweet science at its finest.

Devin "The Dream" Haney (29-0, 15 KOs)

The man that rules the lightweight division. Devin Haney staked his claim at the 135 pound throne after dominating George Kambosos Jr. twice last year. Haney is one of the best boxers in the world, due to his phenomenal jab, slick defense, and high IQ in the ring. Haney is a long fighter, who utilizes his reach extremely well. He's also big for the division, so the size disparity could very well be apparent throughout the bout.

Devin is super young, only 24 years old. This could play a big factor in this fight. Youth goes a long way in boxing. And Devin is already one of the best counterpunchers in the sport. This won't be an easy one for Haney, but he has the skills to pull this one off. Will the "dream" continue on as Devin Haney looks to retain his lightweight gold?

Keys for Haney

- Use the lead right hand

- Push Loma backwards

- Use size to advantage

Vasiliy Lomachenko (17-2, 11 KOs)

A three division world champion. Two-time olympic gold medalist. They call him "The Matrix". A man who has some of the best footwork the sport of boxing has ever seen. The way Loma changes angles is second to none. The former unified champion was one title away from completing his mission and now he comes for vengeance, he's coming for it all.

Vasiliy Lomachenko is one of the most skilled boxers ever. The mix of footwork, shot selection, and defense is what has gotten Loma to the highest of heights. A big thing going into this fight is his age. Lomachenko is 35 years old, over a decade older than his opponent. And with his participation in the Russia-Ukraine war, Loma hasn't had enough time in the ring. However, even with those factors against him, Loma is still one of the best in the world and will show up on Saturday night. Can Lomachenko finally become undisputed champion or will this be the swan song for the future hall of famer?

Keys for Loma

- Use that rear left hook

- Get on the inside

- Attack the body

Breakdown

Just a battle between two of the smartest fighters in the game. All it could take is one rare mistake from one and the fight changes. But these guys do not mistakes, they have their game plans and execute them to perfection.

With Haney, the jab won't be as effective against Loma as he is a southpaw, who's defense is always on point. But, the lead right hand down the pipe will be, as its always, a big weapon in the orthodox vs southpaw battle. A double jab to a straight right hand as Loma is resetting is a combination Haney could utilize heavily.

Haney will also need to push Lomachenko backwards. Devin tends to fight off his back foot against southpaws, but he can't do that against someone that could produce that amount of volume that Loma can.

For Loma, getting on the inside is key. Haney is long and will use his reach as always, but Loma surely has the tricks up his sleeve to get close and fire away. Haney clinches constantly in his fights and Loma is a master of working the clinch. These clinch exchanges will be where this fight gets interesting.

That rear left hook from Loma could really catch Haney slipping. It's a shot that JoJo Diaz landed repeatedly on Devin Haney in their fight. While that was a couple of years ago, Loma definitely has that back of his mind and will shoot that left hook with no questions.

Final Prediction

Both of these guys have the skills to get their hand raised. This fight is in Devin's favor simply for the size difference, but Loma is always the smaller guy in his fights as he is not a natural 135er.

Haney is a master of dictating pace and if he can push Loma back throughout the fight, it's his fight to lose. Loma can't give away the early rounds, he needs to be switched on immediately. These two will come into this fight with elite strategies as always, but it's all up to whoever can execute.

And I think Vasiliy Lomachenko will find a way to get the victory. Loma will struggle early to get on the inside due to Haney's range, but he will figure it out and that's when he will take over in the second half of the fight. Loma will get the checkmate as he wins this fight via a close decision.