According to Vasiliy Lomachenko, his upcoming fight with Devin Haney on May 20th, 2023, has placed all the pressure on the undisputed champion.
Haney is considered the favorite having the height and reach advantage, as he puts his undefeated record on the line.
The American has already thrown down the gauntlet, letting the boxing community know that he is looking to ‘retire’ the Ukrainian.
And the war of words continued during the fighters’ grand arrivals on fight week, where Haney branded Lomachenko a ‘dirty’ fighter.
👀 @RealDevinHaney tells @VasylLomachenko he's a dirty fighter.
Real Time Ep. 2 ➡️ https://t.co/tpwJA73v73 pic.twitter.com/WTzmyqJo6v
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) May 17, 2023
Such fighting talk has placed pressure on Haney to perform, which is how the Ukrainian sees it.
“I have losses in my numbers and right now I’m not losing anything. I just try one more time but from his side he lose four belts, he lose zero on his numbers, I think he nervous more than me.
“I never think about what he say and what his plan about playing with my head. I never think because I just try to stay focused and try to do what I can. Every answer we will get Saturday night,” Lomachenko
Nevertheless, Lomachenko knows that time is running out for his undisputed-title ambitions.
Defeat would all but end those hopes, with Gervonta Davis and Shakur Stevenson becoming the leading names in the division.
Not only that, but the Ukrainian will be keen on delivering a masterful performance given his country’s plight as the Russia-Ukraine conflict continues. And in doing so, lift the spirit of his nation.
“Of course, I believe during the fight people forget about bad [the] situation. A little bit [will] change from war to this match,” Lomachenko