By Tom Donelson / Author, Member Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) … and – long time honored contributor to www.dmboxing.com since 2008
The Lomachenko-Haney fight was a close fight, and you could have scored it for either fighter. The only score that I found objectionable was 116-112 for Haney. I could not find eight rounds for Haney or for that matter for Lomachenko, but I certainly could have seen a 115-113 either way. I had the fight a draw.
There are many ways to score a fight, beginning with efficacy. Is the fighter effective with his defense and his offense? This fight was interesting since throughout the fight both fighters had their moments. Overall Lomachenko only connected on 20 percent of his punches, but Haney only connected 28 percent. Both fighters did have their moment of success but also, they failed to dominate their opponent.
The only two rounds did we see one opponent dominate the other was the tenth and eleventh round. Lomachenko dominated the tenth and eleventh round as he connected on 31 punches to only 7 for Haney. Boxing is not based on the cumulative total, but It is judge round by round. Lomachenko connected 124 punches to Haney 110, but you take out those two rounds, Haney connected on 103 punches to Lomachenko 93 punches. So over those the remaining ten rounds, Haney connected on ten punches per round versus 9 punches per round for Lomachenko. Those ten rounds were close, and I had Haney winning six of those rounds. In each round, one or two punches could prove decisive, and you have to look at other things like defense and power of the punches.
If you take out the tenth and eleventh round, Haney landed 84 power shots versus 75 power shots for Lomachenko. Haney averaged one more power shots per round than Lomachenko, again hardly dominating numbers.
By Tom Donelson (BWAA) Member Boxing Writers Association of America
Devin Haney engaged in his toughest fight as he faced Vasiliy Lomachenko for the undisputed light weight title and the fight went as I thought as Haney used his size to jab and Lomachenko was the more aggressive fighter.
The fight was close most of the way and when reviewing the various scorecards, there were many close rounds which made it difficult to score. The only two rounds that were easy to score was the 10th and 11th in which Lomachenko dominated with 31 punches landed versus 7 punches landed for Haney. These two rounds impacted how many boxing fans and pundits viewed this fight as these two rounds were near the end of fight.
ESPN had the fight 115-113 for Haney and MMA had the fight 115-113 for Lomachenko. (My good friend David Martinez / dmboxing.com agreed with MMA with a 115-113 score). The first round was a close round as Haney tried to land couple of good jabs, but Lomachenko ended the round with a flurry but interesting, it was Haney who landed more effective power shots, landing 45 percent of his shots but only landed 1 jab out of 21 attempts. Close round, I gave it to Haney by a whisker, but it could easily gone to Lomachenko.
In the second round, Haney was the more accurate puncher as his jab won the round, but the third round belonged to Lomachenko as he pressed the action and landed 40 percent more power shots. First round that he found a rhythm. After three rounds it was 29-28 in favor of Haney, but it could easily have been 29-28 in favor of Lomachenko.
The fourth was Haney best at that point as he landed nearly double punches but in the fifth round, Lomachenko nailed Haney with a solid right that shook Haney. Haney landed 13 punches to Lomachenko 12 punches, but the best punch of the round belonged to Lomachenko. After five rounds I had 48 to 47 for Haney.
In the sixth round, Haney landed some solid rights and Lomachenko left side has some redness, but Lomachenko landed some good head shots. Halfway through the fight, I had Haney up by 58 to 56 but depending on how you scored the first round, it could easily be 57 to 57.
Haney opened the seventh round with an uppercut partially blocked while Lomachenko landed two solid rights and after tying up Lomachenko, Haney landed a solid right plus he landed a jab and left hooks while Lomachenko landed a combination. Close round but I gave it to Lomachenko but could easily gone for Haney. 67-66 for Haney after seven rounds, Compubox noted that Haney landed 70 punches to 62 punches at this point of the fight and Lomachenko only landed 20 percent of his punches when he normally land close to 40 percent. Haney defense frustrated Lomachenko.
Another close round but Haney landed solid jabs and more efficient with his punches as he won the eight round and after eight rounds, Haney was winning on my scorecard 77 to 75. In the ninth round Haney beat Lomachenko to the punch and Lomachenko could sustain a consistent attack, and with three rounds left I had Haney up by three points, 87 to 84. After nine rounds, Haney landed 92 punches to 80 for Lomachenko.
Lomachenko dominated the tenth and eleventh round as he landed clean shots, easy for judges to score. (these two rounds were the easiest to score.) He appeared to get the upper hand and Haney suddenly looked confuse and after round tenth, Haney face showed concern. Concern were well founded as Lomachenko buckled Haney with a left hand from his southpaw position in the eleventh round. He landed punches in bunches as Haney only landed 2 punches to Lomachenko 20. Over these two rounds, Lomachenko landed 24 more punches. With one round left, it was 105 to 104 on my scorecard but Lomachenko had the momentum.
By Tom Donelson / Author, Member Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) and contributor to www.dmboxing.com since 2008
Vasyl Lomachenko seems to have been with us for a long time, but he has only fought 19 professional fights. He fought for his title in his third fight as he upset Gary Russell Jr for Russell’s feather weight title. My first thought was that he would go the way of past Olympic stars who went for the title too early in their careers. Davey Moore in, his ninth fight, won the world super welterweight title but in his thirteenth fight, he lost to Roberto Duran and from that point, was never the same fighter. He went on to lose four more times and retired with an 18-5 record.
Olympic gold medalist Pete Rademacher fought Floyd Patterson in his first fight as a pro for Patterson’s heavyweight title. He knocked Patterson down in the second round but then hit the canvas six times before the fight was stopped. He then lost to heavyweight contender Zora Folley. He went on to fight many contenders and finished with a 15-7 record. Then there was Leon Spinks who won a heavyweight title from Muhammad Ali in his eighth fight before losing the rematch. From that point he went from the apex of the sport to mediocrity finishing with a 26-17 record.
Lomachenko never suffered the fate of the other Olympic champions who won or fought for titles too early in their careers. He has a 13-1 record in championship bouts and now he is facing Devin Haney for all of Haney’s belts.
At 35, Lomachenko still has the talent to win the title back, but Haney is a good boxer who has the speed and agility to frustrate Lomachenko.
Haney went to Australia to capture the lightweight titles as he defeated Georgie Kambosos Jr. in Kambosos backyard. And when he defended his title, he went to Australia to give Kambosos a shot to regain his title, but he won even more easily.
This bout is an interesting bout for both are good boxers, but Lomachenko can turn aggressor if the needs arrive. Haney surprised everyone when he went down under and easily out boxed Kambosos not once but twice. Haney strength will be his quickness and mobility whereas Lomachenko is a good boxer in his own right, but he also can be a good inside fighter with body shots. Lomachenko doesn’t have the quickness of Haney so he may be forced into trench warfare to reduce Haney’s mobility. While Haney has had more fights overall, Lomachenko has been involved with more championship bouts and his lengthy amateur career supplemented his professional career. Lomachenko is the rare fighter who quickly translated his amateur career into a successful professional career. In his third fight, he won a championship and won titles in three different weight classes. While many favor Haney due to his speed and youth, there is something to be said for experience and Lomachenko has yet to be stopped.
By Tom Donelson / Member Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) … contributor to www.dmboxing since 2008
Gervonta “the Tank” fought his archrival Ryan Garcia for the pride who is the best of each other. This was a bout that took a life of its own as Garcia called out Davis and Davis finally granted Garcia his wish. This fight guaranteed big money and excitement for many fans who craved this fight between two undefeated fighters
Garcia came in 5 inches taller and quick hands and while advertise the slugger (Davis) and boxer (Garcia), both fighters landed power shots and accurate as they were ranked near the best in accuracy.
The first round was slow with slight advantage for Garcia as he won first round 10-9 but in the second round, Garcia appeared to hurt Tank Davis with combinations but the first punch landed by Davis, sent Garcia to the canvas in less than a minute left in the round. Garcia got up immediately, but the message was sent, Davis needed just one punch to win the round. The knockdown made it a 10-8 round an I had 9-18 in favor of Tank.
During the third round Tank became more accurate and Garcia looked tentative as he still recovered from the knockdown. Tank won third round and now was 29-27.
Davis landed 9 punches and most of power shots to the body as Garcia appeared unable to defend the body. 39-36 in favor of Tank after four round.
During the fifth round, Tank was taking control as Garcia started to look at gas. While both landed equal number of power shots, Tank punches were more decisive. Tank was easily in the lead on my card as it was 49-45.
By Tom Donelson / Member Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA)
Shakur Stevenson faced undefeated Shuichiro Yoshino for WBC lightweight eliminator as he began a quest for a third title.
Stevenson spent the first minute feeling out Yoshino to see what he had, and while Yoshino try to connect with body shots, Stevenson hand speed prove problematic for Yoshino and his defense made Yoshino miss as he took the first round.
Yoshino landed a solid right down the middle at the beginning of the second round, but he couldn’t match Stevenson hand speed and Stevenson landed combinations almost at will. Stevenson landed a right to the body and with little more than a minute left, Stevenson followed the right to the body with a left hook, sending Yoshino down.
Yoshino kept pushing the issues in the third, but Stevenson kept landing clean shots and took the Japanese to school. After three rounds I had this fight 30-26.
The fourth round was similar as Yoshino kept pushing forward but Shakur kept nailing his opponent. Stevenson cracked a left that sent Yoshino down a second time and Yoshino had to know from this point he was outclassed. He didn’t appeared hurt, but Skakur Stevenson simply dominated the round as he landed a right hook, straight left and uppercuts. The score after four was 40-34.
By Tom Donelson / Member Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA)
Gervonta Davis did what he was supposed to do against Hector Luis García and after three inert rounds at the beginning of the fight, he took control of the fight and stopped Garcia. The first round was a feeling out round with little activity but Garcia landed a few more shots in the second round to take the round,. You might have given Garcia round one and two plus possibly three, but after that it was all Gervonta “the tank” Davis.
The fourth round saw Tank dominate most of the round but García managed to land a straight left late in the round for his most notable shot. Throughout the fifth and sixth round, Davis was the busier and landed some good shots but García was competitive in both rounds. I had the fight even after the sixth round but it was becoming evident that Davis was the harder puncher.
Davis took his game to another level and started to throw and land more punches. Garcia still managed to land his share of punches throughout the seventh, but the seventh round belonged to Davis. The eighth round saw Davis take command, but the round was delayed as a fight in the stand delayed the fight in the ring. Tank landed 30 punches to Garcia only three and Davis entered into a search and destroy mode. Garcia eyes started to close and at the end of the round, he turned to his corner and stated he couldn’t see.
*** Ring Result / January 7, 2023 / Capital One Arena, Washington, DC ***
After three rounds of slow action, things began to start up in round four as Gervonta Davis (28-0 / 26 by KO) began to turn up the volume against a game Hector Luis Garcia (16-1 / 10 by KO).
The bout between the two unbeaten southpaws was for Davis’ WBA “Regular” Lightweight title belt, as Garcia was moving up in weight from his WBA “Super” Featherweight title belt claim.
Round seven competitive, but then in round eight Davis landed staggering punches that accounted for Garcia not to answer round nine, with the official stoppage time being 0.13 of that round.
By Tom Donelson / Author, Member Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA)
Vasilly Lomachenko was riding a two-fight winning streak since his loss to Teofimo Lopez, faced the young undefeated Jamaine Ortiz.
The opening round saw Ortiz jabbing but not much was done beyond that and Lomachenko spent the round feeling his opponent out. Ortiz did land combination shots and a body shot to win the round. In the second round Ortiz continued pushing his jab and left Lomachenko little time to think as this was another good round for Ortiz as he mixed jabs and power shots and won both rounds.
Lomachenko came back in the third round as he used different approaches to penetrate Ortiz’s defenses as he landed right hands that wobbled Ortiz, who tied up Lomachenko and Lomanchenko won this round and after three rounds, it was 29-28 in favor of Ortiz.
Round four began with Ortiz flicking two jabs that fell short and Lomachenko landed clean punches, but Ortiz connected on the double the punches as he put punches in bunches. Lomachenko outworked Ortiz with accurate punches in the fifth round. He laned left to the body followed with a straight left hand to Ortiz’s head. He continued to pressure Ortiz but Ortiz fought better in the sixth round, but Lomachenko punches had more snap and Ortiz’s left eye stare to close. Body shots to the body weaken Ortiz and the head shots started to close Ortiz’s left eye. Halfway through the fight I had the fight even 57-57
By Tom Donelson / Member Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) … Contributor to www.dmboxing.com with integrity and expertise since 2008
Deontay Wilder lost his second fight in the hard-fought Fury trilogy one year ago and his opponent Robert Helenius who is coming off two straight knockout wins over Adam Kowacki. For Wilder this was a must win if he wanted to be considered a heavyweight contender and the Fury trilogy was a brutal trilogy in which both men pounded each other. Wilder came in the fight as the favorite and he was in top ten shape weighing 215 and his opponent weighed 253.
On the same card, Caleb Plant faced Anthony Dirrell in a battle of two former super Middleweight champions and Plant was coming off a loss to Saul Canelo Alvarez.
Caleb Plant began the first round aggressively and looked the quicker of the two in the first round and the second round, Plant jab connected early and Dirrell looked measured and cautious. Plant jab snap Dirrell head and when Dirrell landed a nasty shot right back. Plant mixed body shots and shots to the head as he won round two.
Dirrell open the third with a good right hand while Plant rips a pair of right to the body. Dirrell hits a good shot to the body and a counter. Dirrell also clinched and provided some rough maneuver. Close round as Dirrell won the round but Plant could have won the round on the judges’ scorecard.
By Tom Donelson / Author, Member Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA)
Ryan Garcia pounded Javier Fortuna as he scored knockdowns in the fourth and fifth rounds before finishing the fight in the sixth round. This was a complete demolition as Garcia took control of the fight from the opening bell. As the stats show, Garcia landed more punches as the fight progressed.
Garcia landed twice the punches and his power was on parade. Now for the big fight that everyone wants to see: Ryan Garcia and Gervonta “Tank” Davis. This past fight was supposed to be the stepping stone to the fight with Davis. Davis won his last two fights against Rolando Romero with a sixth-round stoppage and both fighters are a good draw. Davis sold out Brooklyn’s Barclays Center and attracted 15,000 in the Crypto.com Arena, as local fighter Garcia attracted a little over 11,000.
