In the testosterone-fueled arena of professional boxing, rarely does the spectacle end when the final bell rings. Indeed, sometimes the ensuing drama outside the ring can match, if not overshadow, the fervor of the actual bout. This is particularly true for the recent high-stakes encounter between Devin Haney and Vasyl Lomachenko, a match that witnessed its share of punches, strategy, and grit. In the earlier rounds, both boxers were aggressive and used their lengths to their advantage. However, in the later rounds, Loma showcased the perks of his experience over Haney and dominated the bout.
Surprisingly, to the shock of the 14,436 audience in the MGM Grand Garden, all three judges scored the fight in Haney’s favor, making it a controversial win. Even Loma’s manager, Egis Klimas, opposed it during the post-fight interview and stated that their team is going to appeal against this “robbery“. He said, “I guarantee we’re not going to let that go. We want to show there has to be justice.”
However, the spotlight has swiftly shifted from the combatants to a normally quieter corner of the boxing world – the judges. Following the fight, a certain figure, known for his no-nonsense approach and legendary status in the boxing world, stirred the pot. This figure, none other than Teddy Atlas, Mike Tyson’s former trainer, has raised an eyebrow at the match’s outcome, specifically directing his scrutiny towards one of the fight’s officials.
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Teddy Atlas questions fight outcome, calls for accountability
Teddy Atlas, the esteemed boxing trainer, sparked controversy questioning the Haney vs Lomachenko fight’s result. Atlas has taken to his Twitter platform, a space known for hosting his candid thoughts and experienced insights, to voice his skepticism over the scoring of the match.
Someone told me that Dave Moretti gave 10th round to Haney, if that’s true he should be brought in front of Commission to explain. #HaneyLoma
— Teddy Atlas (@TeddyAtlasReal) May 21, 2023
He expressed his concern in a tweet, stating, “Someone told me that Dave Moretti gave 10th round to Haney, if that’s true he should be brought in front of Commission to explain. #HaneyLoma.”
This statement throws the spotlight on Dave Moretti, one of the officials in the fight, and his judgment of the critical 10th round.
In essence, Teddy Atlas, with his seasoned eye for boxing intricacies, has zeroed in on the scorecard, specifically questioning Moretti’s decision in favor of Haney in the 10th round. This critique has added a fresh layer of debate to an already fiercely contested fight, inciting boxing fans, analysts, and other stakeholders to examine the details of the match and the fairness of the verdict.
Prominent boxers echo Atlas’ sentiment, questioning the Haney-Lomachenko verdict
A chorus of prominent figures in the boxing world has joined Teddy Atlas in his critique of the controversial Haney-Lomachenko result. Among them is the electrifying lightweight contender Ryan Garcia, also known as ‘KingRy‘, who didn’t hold back his frustration over the fight’s outcome. He took to Twitter, expressing his belief that Lomachenko, or ‘Loma’ as he is widely known, should have been declared the winner, as he was “landing the cleaner shots and finished the fight strong.”
Ryan Garcia reacts to Devin Haney UD Vasyl Lomachenko… pic.twitter.com/YV1x0c9ezO
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) May 21, 2023
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Another voice expressing similar sentiments is Shakur Stevenson, a two-division champion. Having witnessed the fight from ringside, Stevenson asserted that Lomachenko was the rightful winner of the bout. He said, “Lomachenko should be undisputed champion here. He won, he won that fight, he landed the cleaner punches. He landed the cleaner shots on Dev, and he pushed the pace.”
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Thus, Atlas’ skepticism seems to have found resonance among these top-tier boxers, adding further weight to the scrutiny.
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