Devin Haney out to ‘shock the world’ in opposition to Vasiliy Lomachenko and prove No 1 pound-for-pound possible | Boxing News

Devin Haney insists he is on a “different level” as the unbeaten and undisputed lightweight winner targets pound-for-pound recognition when dealing with Vasiliy Lomachenko in Las Vegas on Saturday night.

Haney is seeking to cement his legacy when he actions into the ring at the MGM Grand with just one of the all-time greats in ‘The Matrix’ Lomachenko, reside on Sky Sporting activities in the early several hours of Sunday morning.

“I assume this combat is heading to set me significantly larger on the pound-for-pound record,” Haney advised Sky Sports activities. “It is really likely to solidify me as a serious champion. True undisputed, the person of the division and a single of the finest fighters in the entire entire world.”

‘The Dream’ is out to make a assertion and silence some of the naysayers with a job-defining performance, and added: “I want to shock the environment, and present the environment how great I really am. I want the environment to give me my just thanks just after this struggle and believe that in the Devin Haney buzz.”

Lomachenko will appear to reclaim lightweight supremacy when he goes up in opposition to the undefeated Haney for his WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO and The Ring titles.

The Ukrainian missing 3 of the lightweight titles towards then-undefeated New York native Teofimo Lopez in Oct 2020, and now has sights on a return to the pinnacle of boxing. This bout will be his initial involving a environment title in just about three years, with an astonishing 14 of his 15 fights prior to the Lopez defeat all involving a globe honour.

The two-time Olympic gold medallist goes into a title combat as the underdog for the to start with time in his expert career, but irrespective of probable blockbuster bouts against Gervonta Davis and Shakur Stevenson on the horizon, Haney is not hunting past his legendary opponent.

“We’ve bought to get previous Loma to start with, that is the main intention. I are not able to look past him,” Haney explained.

“At the time I’m victorious and I place on a great effectiveness, then we will entertain each and every combat out there that tends to make feeling. But my major aim appropriate now is Loma.”

Stevenson is also a prosperous Olympian, winning a silver medal at Rio 2016, and soon after sparring amongst the pair was publicised, Haney is aware of the interest and is open to the prospective bout.

“We both of those have sparred every other considering that we were young children. I received the ideal of him at situations, he received the very best of me. We are substantially more mature now but that battle can be a struggle in the potential,” Haney mentioned.

Heading into the next defence of his unified crown, Haney understands the talent of Lomachenko but thinks he is the far better person and seems ahead to placing the doubters to relaxation on Saturday.

“Loma is a top quality fighter. He’s demonstrated himself time and time once again. But you know, I am just different,” Haney included.

“I am diverse than all people other fellas that he fought and I am on a distinctive level than all people men that he fought, and I will exhibit him that.

“He will be in for a shock on May perhaps 20 [given] how a lot velocity, how much ability, how significantly power and how a lot explosiveness that I have in the ring.”

Haney is no stranger to massive troubles. Somewhat than acquire the regular Olympic route, he and his father and coach, Bill Haney, decided it would be greatest to convert qualified from the age of 17 and cross the Mexican border in buy to combat for a dwelling.

“My route was distinct to a standard fighter,” Haney claimed. “I went a different path, but I arrived out on prime, so I thank Allah for that for guiding me and wanting over me alongside this journey and to keep on searching over me.”

These bouts have been frequently against seasoned veterans who were being in their 20s and 30s. Following garnering expert practical experience in Mexico, Haney was in a position to switch his interest to the American circuit and continue on his dominant operate.

Haney acknowledges his route may well have been diverse to that of other American abilities, and he is grateful for how the journey has turned out so much.

He claimed: “Even though my journey was distinct, commenced in Mexico preventing in bars, I nevertheless arrived out on major and every day I am getting much better and far better. I’m just pleased that I am on this massive phase and capable to get completely ready to establish myself and how excellent that Allah has made me.

“It definitely feels unreal, surreal occasionally but it is the place I worked so hard to get in this article and I am doing work even more challenging to keep so tune in on May well 20 and you may see how excellent Devin Haney is.”

With Saturday night quickly approaching, The Dream’s greatest examination to date as a expert is imminent, and a loss at this pivotal point of his profession, could come to be a nightmare. A single he hopes to steer clear of.