Devin Haney saw off the valiant challenge of Vasiliy Lomachenko to retain his undisputed lightweight crown with a contentious unanimous decision in Las Vegas on Saturday.
Haney (30-0, 15 KOs) was forced to rally under the pressure of Lomachenko (17-3, 11 KOs), before keeping hold of his WBA ‘super’, WBC, WBO and IBF belts with two scores of 115-113 and another at 116-112 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
However, the result has been met with wide backlash especially online, with many feeling that Lomachenko had done enough to dethrone ’The Dream’.
Haney looked to establish the centre of the ring from the outset and targeted the body of Lomachenko in an attempt to slow the masterful Ukrainian down, although the visitor caused the champion some trouble with his fast feet and superb angles.
The 24-year-old, who twice beat George Kambosos Jr, upped the ante in the second round, landing some solid counters to the body in a dominant round, but Lomachenko responded in the third round with a pinpoint uppercut the most eye-catching moment.
Lomachenko, coming off a victory over Jamaine Ortiz, established his rhythm by the fourth and was continuing to cause the American problems, landing shots from awkward angles.
Haney had more success to the body in the fifth and sixth rounds, ripping through with combinations, although Lomachenko’s accurate, fast hands at close range were keeping him in the argument.
The back-and-forth action continued and a left hook to the head caught Lomachenko’s attention in the seventh.
The three-weight world champion, jolted Haney’s head back in both the eighth and ninth rounds, although the 24-year-old was willing to take one to land one.
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A volley of combinations from Lomachenko appeared to stumble the champion back in the tenth and in his most dominant round in the 11th, the 35-year-old poured on the pressure and pinned Haney back.
Haney came back well in final round, finishing the stronger of the pair, particularly with his bodywork.
Haney described Lomachenko as his hardest opponent after he was awarded the victory, while the Ukrainian would not be drawn on suggestions that he was robbed of a famous win.
‘The Dream’ was called out by lightweight rival Shakur Stevenson, who watched on from ringside, but he hinted that his time at 135lbs is coming to an end, with a move to super lightweight appearing imminent.
Haney holds the WBC, WBA ‘super’, WBO and IBF belts Photo Credit: Mikey Williams / Top Rank via Getty Images
Valdez beats Lopez again
Oscar Valdez overcame Adam Lopez (16-5, 6 KOs) for a second time, securing a comfortable unanimous decision in their rematch.
Valdez (31-1, 23 KOs) had climbed off the canvas in their first meeting in 2019, before scoring a seventh round stoppage.
However, their rematch lacked the same kind of action and Valdez ran out a clear winner, with scores of 98-92, 98-91 and 97-93 confirming his dominance.
The 32-year-old is set for an all-Mexican showdown with WBO super featherweight world champion, Emanuel Navarrete next.
Muratalla wipes out Nakathila
Raymond Muratalla put the lightweight division on notice by halting Jeremiah Nakathila in two rounds.
Muratalla (18-0, 15 KOs) wobbled Nakathila (23-3, 19 KOs) with a right hand and after sensing he was hurt, the Californian followed up with a volley of blows, with referee Robert Hoyle intervening.
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The Namibian suffered just a third defeat as a professional and the first by stoppage, having previously gone all 12 rounds in defeat to Shakur Stevenson
Nakatani destroys Moloney
Andrew Moloney was unable to following in his brother’s footsteps with his world title dream dashed in devastating fashion by Junto Nakatani, who became WBA super flyweight world champion with a final round knockout victory.
Moloney (25-3, 16 KOs), who had previously challenged for world honours on three separate occasions, was looking to secure a world title just a week after his brother, Jason had become WBO bantamweight champion.
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However, the Australian was floored in the 11th round by a hard left hand and former flyweight world champion, Nakatani (25-0, 19 KOs) finished the show with a highlight reel left hook knockout in the 12th round, which laid Moloney out on the canvas.
Remaining Undercard
Nico Ali Walsh’s perfect record went after he was held to a split decision draw by Danny Rosenberger.
Judge Glenn Feldman’s 76-76 scorecard overruled a 77-75 tally in favour of Ali Walsh (8-0-1, 5 KOs) and a 77-75 verdict to Rosenberger (13-9-5, 4 KOs)
Super bantamweight prospect, Floyd Diaz (9-0, 3 KOs) continued his rapid progress with a unanimous decision win over Luis Fernando Saavedra (9-9, 3 KOs), while lightweight, Abdullah Mason (8-0, 7 KOs) made it eight straight victories by stopping Desmond Lyons (8-3, 2 KOs) in the final round.
Elsewhere at lightweight, Emiliano Vargas (5-0, 4 KOs) knocked out the previously unbeaten, Rafael Loso with a brutal body shot.
Amari Jones (9-0, 8 KOs) continued his undefeated streak with a last round stoppage over Pachino Hill (8-3-1, 6 KOs)
