Devin Haney has insisted he will accept a fight with Vasyl Lomachenko if it "makes sense" when the pair discussed an undisputed clash.
Lomachenko made his return to the ring for the first time since late 2021 when he outpointed Jamaine Ortiz in a tough fight at Madison Square Garden's Hulu Theatre. The Ukrainian is looking to return to the top after losing his lightweight world titles to Teofimo Lopez in 2020, and his win set up a shot at the undisputed titles currently held by Haney.
The American champion has previously claimed he was open to the fight with Lomchenko and was ringside for the clash yesterday where he was called into the ring to come face-to-face with his potential rival. The pair came together and Haney assessed Lomachenko's performance right in front of him.
He said: “I think it wasn’t the best performance, but I know if me and Loma were to fight, we’d see a better version on the night. Congratulations, and hopefully we can get it on. This is what I like to here I took the risk and I went to Australia and risked it all twice. We will see if it is the same when me and Loma come to negotiating."
Lomachenko replied insisting he wants the fight, adding: "I will be ready, he is a world champion and a tough fighter that is why he is the world champion. I need more time for preparation and I will be ready for him." Haney later added on Twitter : "If everything makes sense it’s next." Lomachenko recently returned home to his native Ukraine to help with military service and take up arms against Russian invasion.
He was already in pole position to pip Haney for a shot at the belts against George Kambosos Jr, but was unavailable after missing his training due to the Ukraine war. This saw Haney step in with his WBC regular belt on the line and dethrone Kambosos Jr in Australia, before making sure of his win months later in a second meeting.
Who wins if the pair meet - Devin Haney or Vasyl Lomachenko? Let us know in the comments section below
Lomachenko's promoter Bob Arum was in attendance last night and previously revealed that he will review the Ukrainian's position before entering negotiations with Haney. “We have to see where Loma is after his fight on Saturday. Is he ready for Devin Haney?” said Bob Arum to Cornerman Boxing. “They all can’t fight at the same time, but they all can fight in the same year against each other.
“It would be great if two of them fought in the first fight and the third one fought the winner. That would be a perfect way to set everything up. We’ll see. These are all people that are my friends, and I’ll be talking to all of them."
