Haney turns back stiff challenge from Loma, retains undisputed title

Former champion reduced to tears following close decision loss

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In every bit the high level fight anticipated, Devin Haney retained the undisputed lightweight world championship in a nail-biter against former unified champion Vasiliy Lomachenko on Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Judges Tim Cheatham and David Sutherland each scored the fight 115-113 while Dave Moretti had it 116-112. Fight Freaks Unite scored the pay-per-view headliner 114-114.

Lomachenko dominated the 10th and 11th rounds and made the 12th round awfully close — although all three judges gave it to Haney — so when the scores were announced much of the sold-out crowd of 14,436 booed the result.

But the early rounds that Haney banked to gain the lead counted just as much as the late rounds, allowing him to make his seventh overall title defense and second of the undisputed crown.

“Lomachenko is a future Hall of Famer,” Haney said. “It was a blessing. He was my toughest opponent by far. He is very crafty and we put on a great fight for the fans. He turns it up in the championship rounds. I just have to take my hat off to him. He’s a great fighter.”