[ad_1]
By Sam Volz: Bill Haney says Devin is now hunting Vasyl Lomachenko after his win over Jamaine Ortiz last Saturday night in New York.
It’s interesting how Haney suddenly shows interest in fighting Lomachenko, 34, after watching Ortiz.
Before that, Haney seemed skeptical about fighting the two-time Olympic gold medalist, but you could argue that Loma’s effort against Jamaine was a big boost for Devin.
Lomachenko showed a lot of ring rust against the previously unbeaten Ortiz (16-1-1, 8 KOs), which is understandable for a fighter coming off a year-long layoff due to his fight in his country.
Perhaps in response to Loma’s lackluster performance last weekend, trainer/manager Bill is eager to see Lomachenko and Haney fight.
Bill is concerned that Lomachenko (17-2, 11 KOs) will need time to prepare for the fight. Lomachenko didn’t say how much time he’ll need to prepare for Haney, but it’s safe to assume he’s talking about five months.
When you’re planning a fight with a guy who looks like a welterweight like Haney, it’s no wonder Lomachenko took five months to prepare for the fight.
Well, Haney may need to go up to 140 to fight while he waits for Lomachenko to get ready because he’s unlikely to make weight unless he really dumps himself.
If Haney is too impatient to wait for Lomachenko to prepare, he can always move up to 140 in the meantime and face the winner of Regis Prograis vs. Jose Zepeda fight for the WBC light welterweight title.
There is also Teofimo Lopez, who Haney could fight while waiting for Lomachenko.
“Devin said, ‘Let’s make it happen,’” said Bill Haney to AHi TV. “Devin is a hunter, and he hunts for greatness. Now he’s finally coming down to do the show and do it.
“We are confident about this fight, unlike Paulie Malignaggi, who said we will not do it [fight Vasyl Lomachenko]. We not only do it, but we also lead it and encourage other influencers to be part of it.
“It’s going to be a landmark in boxing for years. The truth is, we’ve been chasing Lomachenko forever. You get in the ring with Lomachenko, who says he won’t fight you until you get the belt.
“We are hunting Lomachenko. Lomachenko said he needs time. As we were leaving the ring, he said, ‘I need time, but I’ll be ready.’ I said, ‘Dev, did you hear this s**t?’ ‘Yes, I heard.’ I said, ‘Let’s see who raises their hand while he’s taking his time.
“Lomachenko is someone that Devin tried to put in the ring based on what people think about him. What we want to make sure is this guy because we have nothing to beat Lomachenko but respect the people who respect him.
“This is the guy we’re looking for, this is the guy we want to fight, and it’s a testament to Devin that he wanted to fight him then, and he wants to fight him now,” Bill said.
[ad_2]
Source link