Devin Haney could get another super fight against Shakur Stevenson if he retains his undisputed world lightweight titles, but it would be a “big mistake” to look at Vasiliy Lomachenko, Top Rank president Todd DuBoef said.
Haney defended his WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO belts against Lomachenko in Las Vegas in the early hours of Sunday morning, live on Sky Sports.
DuBoef believes a win over the Ukrainian star would be the crowning achievement of Haney’s fast-rising career and could secure a big fight against former unified super-featherweight king Stevenson.
“Loma says he’s 100 percent and the best he can be. So if Haney can get Lomachenko at his best, I think that’s a pretty big score for Devin,” DuBoef said.
Haney will fight Lomachenko with four world titles at stake
“Devin, we’ve seen, he’s got great size, great speed, great footwork, quick hands. But it’s the matrix, you never know what you’re walking into.
“He’ll learn a lot on Saturday night, if he hasn’t.
“Listen, absolutely [Stevenson to face the winner makes sense].
“With Devin Haney, he’s so big, can he stay at 135lbs? Or does he jump up to 140lbs? And we’re loaded at 140lbs as well and there are opportunities there.
“So I think from a pure boxing perspective, to see Devin and Shakur is a natural, natural fight.
“They should have been like Mayweather and Mosley in their prime, which we didn’t get.
Shakur Stevenson is a potential opponent for the winner of Haney vs Lomachenko
“This type of fight, and they know each other very well. Love to do this type of fights, but we will see what happens in the result and how the two fighters feel, and what felt Lomachenko.
“We have to read the room better and decide to make moves with the fighters, instead of forcing something they don’t want.”
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Haney and Lomachenko have exchanged heated words this week
Lomachenko’s dominant reign as a unified champion was halted by a shocking loss to Teofimo Lopez in 2020.
But the highly skilled southpaw has responded with three straight wins, and DuBoef insists Lomachenko is capable of delivering a masterclass win over Haney this weekend.
“That’s a big mistake [to write off Lomachenko],” he said.
“It’s easy, like you get that shiny new car and jump in, but forget about the work that’s been driven so fast for a decade. You forget so easily.
“I’ll never forget Loma. He’s doing things in the ring that we’ve never seen. The footwork, the ability to throw punches from all these different angles. And I’m not sure Haney saw even what’s like this, because most of the fighters hide I don’t see what Loma can do.
Lomachenko should not be eliminated, said Top Rank president Todd DuBoef
“We’re talking about special moments and special fights, and I think there are a lot of implications here.
“But first of all, you are talking about all the hardware. And this is one of the important moments where one person is able to combine all the titles and hold all the titles.
“And then we’re talking about the best fighting the best. And the guys who sometimes move a little, and dodge and weave outside the ring so they don’t have to dodge and weave the most dangerous and deadly type in boxers more dynamic.
“Loma and Haney have something to prove.
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Speaking at Grand Arrivals, Lomachenko and Haney both acknowledged the magnitude of Saturday’s undisputed lightweight contest.
“Loma did it as an amateur and until his meteoric rise as a pro, but still lost the one thing he wanted, which is all the titles.
“And Haney came up as a young kid and got the opportunity that he did: Go to Australia twice and capture titles.
“So I think it has all the makings of an amazing fight, and I’m really, really surprised, because I don’t know who’s going to win. I can see it happening for anybody man.”
Devin Haney vs Vasiliy Lomachenko live on Sky Sports, from 1am on Sunday
