By: Sean Crose
This one is for the purists. If you respect the fantastic nuanced ability that goes into skilled boxing, Saturday’s undisputed light-weight title battle between defending champion Devin Haney and former world titlist Vasyl Lomachenko is true up your alley. Neither of those males are often called knockout artists, however their in-ring types are dazzling none the much less. Haney is youthful and naturally larger than Lomachenko, which understandably makes him the modest favourite strolling in. There’s no writing off Lomachenko, although. The man has simply regarded too stellar within the ring too many occasions.
So, who wins the chess match on Saturday? Let’s begin with the challenger. Lomachenko is greater than only a former champion. He was excessive – very excessive – on pound for pound lists for some time. It was even stated he could be the best ever. That proved to be hyperbole, however there’s no denying Lomachenko has overwhelmed opponent after opponent. To make certain, the lauded Ukrainian led quite a few opponents to stop on their stools. He’s commonly confronted high competitors, as properly, and has solely misplaced twice – each occasions by the slimmest of margins.
As for Haney, the 24 12 months outdated has superb footwork and may keep vary higher than anybody. He’s by no means fought anybody of Lomachenko’s caliber, however Haney’s confirmed profitable in battle after battle. He’s additionally confronted some excessive degree competitors in his personal proper. George Kambosos, Jorge Linares, Joseph Diaz and Yuriorkis Gamboa have all taken L’s from Haney. And not a considered one of them had been slouches.
So, how’s this Saturday’s bout going to play out? Honestly, I don’t know. Both these guys are too good for me to have a level of confidence in selecting one over one other. With that being stated, I believe Haney has the higher probability of successful over the 2. His youth, dimension and total skill to maintain distance ought to give Lomachenko matches. Lomachenko, nonetheless, has properly earned his stellar status. If anybody can get in on Haney, it’s him. And if he’s capable of get inside with any regularity, all bets are off. The backside line: if Haney can hold Loma off him, he wins.
One fast prediction: Lomachenko will go down. Does that imply I believe Haney’s going to win by knockout? No. I see Lomachenko beating the rely handily. Still, I see a kind of one punch physique shot specials Haney typically throws catching the shorter man off guard. And that may make an enormous distinction on the playing cards if you’re speaking a few shut battle, as this weekend’s will more likely to be.
