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Haney Keeps The Crown, But Loma Wins The Day
By Igor Frank
Las Vegas - MGM Grand Garden Arena played host to an
undisputed lightweight championship fight between Vasil
Lomachenko and Devin Haney on Saturday night. Devin Haney
won a controversial unanimous decision
(116-112,115-113,115-113), but the crowd didn’t agree and
booed loudly. ‘’I don’t want to talk about (decision)”, said
Loma after the fight; “All the people saw what happened
today. I think I showed that I can still be in boxing. I am
in good shape now. And see you next time.”
After first two tense and competitive rounds Loma took
control in the third stanza getting inside and backing up
champion with fluid combinations.. Haney reasserted himself
in the fourth by pressing the action and landing hooks to
the body and moving out of the way.
Loma had some success in the fifth, but it was still a
high-level chess match. Loma picked up the pace in the
seventh round landing his vaunted combinations. Haney was
more effective in the eighth stanza, but every round was
competitive and hard to score.
Loma had a break out round in the tenth throwing a combo
that had Haney befuddled and hurt on the ropes. Loma built
on his success in the 11th and pressed his advantage against
Haney who was on the retreat most of the round. The final
round was close but Loma was moving forward. A very close
and exciting, high skill level fight.
“He is a very crafty fighter,” conceded Haney:” He turns it
up in the championship rounds. I just have to take my hat
off to him. He is a great fighter.”
In the co main event of the evening, former two division
world champion Oscar Valdez returned to the ring after a
fourteen month layoff with a dominant win over Adam Lopez in
a rematch of their highly contested fight from several years
ago. Last time Valdez scored a knockout, this time Mexican
star had to settle for a decision. Valdez confirmed that he
wanted Emanuel Navarrette next.
The carnage commenced on televised opener as undefeated
lightweight prospect Raymond Muratalla starched heavy handed
Jeremia Nakathilla in two rounds. ‘’ I want the winner of
Haney vs. Loma,” exclaimed prospect from Fontana, California
immediately after having his hand raised in victory.
The violent drama began prior to televised pay-per-view
event as undefeated junior bantamweight from Japan, Junto
Nakatani grilled Andrew Maloney with a hook that had the
Australian boxer twitching on the floor lifeless. It was as
brutal of a knockout as I have ever seen.
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