Teofimo Lopez has questioned Devin Haney’s ability to beat Vasiliy Lomachenko.
The undisputed champion faces the Ukrainian on May 20th, 2023, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas.
Haney is considered the favorite, given he has all the belts and their current form. Haney won and defended his undisputed status with consecutive wins over George Kambosos Jr.
In contrast, Lomachenko had a tough win over Jamaine Ortiz in his last fight. Haney’s height and reach advantage is likely to be key, with even the Ukrainian branding the American a ‘heavyweight.’
However, there is a slight fear over Haney’s conditioning in making 135 lbs, with suggestions he looked drained at the scales in his fight with Kambosos Jr.
And yet, Lopez has questioned Haney’s heart going into the fight.
“I think I got Lomachenko winning this fight. The only reason why I say it is just the punch IQ that this man throws and what he does. He’ll get you tired. Even though Devin has the conditioning for it, you gotta commit.
“You can’t just, you can’t play defense with Loma. You can’t play defense with Loma. You can’t. You gotta attack [by] all means necessary, and I don’t think Devin got that dog in him to do it,” Lopez
Lopez is well aware of Lomachenko’s ability having beaten him via a unanimous decision. That win would only be magnified should Lomachenko beat Haney, especially given Lopez’s subsequent defeat to Kombosos Jr.
But with the fight almost here Haney will have a chance to silence his critics.