So, we're now making a case for Vasiliy Lomachenko to win a fight. There was a time when that process would have been viewed as thoroughly redundant. There was a time when Loma was the best fighter in the world. There was a time when he was viewed by many as invincible.
Things change quickly in boxing.
With an astounding 396-1 amateur record, Lomachenko turned professional in October 2013. The Ukrainian boxing wizard captured a world title in just his third fight, outpointing future long-time featherweight champ Gary Russell Jr. and so began an exceptional winning run.
While fans who don't know any better scoff at Lomachenko's 17-2 record, any sensible person must factor in that Lomachenko is 14-2 in world title fights across three weight classes. He is also a natural featherweight competing at lightweight.
All that to one side, Lomachenko has undisputed lightweight king Devin Haney in front of him this Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
MORE: Sign up to watch Devin Haney vs. Vasiliy Lomachenko on ESPN+
Haney is huge for the weight, an exceptional talent, and a pound-for-pound player. The speed of his jab is matched only by its accuracy, and "The Dream" is capable of winning fights with that shot alone. Through the course of 24 rounds with George Kambosos Jr., Haney landed hundreds of them, frequently following it with a solid right to the head.
Given Lomachenko's upper-body and foot movement, it's difficult to imagine him being an easy target for the jab. In over 400 ring appearances (amateur and pro), the ex-champ will have faced dozens of fighters with a sharp left jab. Loma could probably write a book on ways to avoid that shot, and he's adept enough as a counterpuncher to make an opponent pay for over-using it.
The other big advantages for Haney are size and strength. Lomachenko might put on a handful of pounds after rehydrating, whereas the champ can reportedly add between 15 and 20 pounds. How will Lomachenko cope against a fighter with a possible, and fully functional, 15-pound weight advantage? Well, again, Loma has been battling bigger foes for years. Also, while Haney is very effective at wrestling inside and tiring opponents out, how often will he have the opportunity to do that against the fleet-footed Lomachenko?
And the downside of Haney stripping down to an unnaturally low weight is that it could impact his ability to take a shot. While Lomachenko suffered a flash knockdown against Jorge Linares in the sixth round of their 2018 clash, a faded version of Linares rocked Haney to his boots three years later. If the bell hadn't saved Haney that night, then Linares might have pulled off a stunning upset.
This fight is also age versus youth. Haney is 24 years old, in the prime of his life, and approaching his peak years. There's no way on earth that Lomachenko is going to improve at the age of 35 and that's just reality. But can Loma win with what he's got left? Well, 37-year-old Roberto Duran overcame 29-year-old Iran Barkley in a 1989 middleweight classic. A 40-year-old Manny Pacquiao turned back the clock to dethrone 30-year-old welterweight champ Keith Thurman in 2019. And how many times did Bernard Hopkins defy Father Time?
MORE: Who beat boxing great Vasiliy Lomachenko's as an amateur?
Lomachenko could be doing with drinking from the same water fountain that Hopkins once did, but the Ukrainian's advancing years might not be as big a factor as some anticipate. The challenger has boxed thousands of rounds in his life, but how many wars has he engaged in? The answer is very few, and despite the fact that he looked below par in his last outing against Jamaine Ortiz, Lomachenko was on fire during a points win over former champ Richard Commey in December 2021.
In the final analysis, Haney deserves to be pre-fight favourite but write Lomachenko off at your peril.
