The Nevada State Athletic Commission fined Devin Haney $25,000 after violently shoving Vasiliy Lomachenko during a weigh-in ceremony on May 19.
Haney and Lomachenko squared off inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 20 in a highly anticipated lightweight championship showdown. Haney came out on top, earning a unanimous decision victory, receiving scores of 116–112, 115–113, and 115–113. However, the win came with a fair amount of controversy, as practically everyone, including the event’s commentary team, had Lomachenko ahead after all twelve rounds were in the books.
While Devin Haney may have escaped with a win, he didn’t make it out of Sin City with all of his purse. In a statement released by the NSAC, Haney was fined $25,000, plus $326 in legal fees, for making physical contact with his opponent ahead of their title tilt.
“At the ceremonial weigh-ins before the bout, he engaged in conduct that is due to reflect discredit to unarmed combat, making unauthorized physical contact with his opponent and by disobeying the specific instructions from a representative of the commission to not do so,” deputy attorney general Joel Bekker said. “Such conduct reflects discredit to unarmed combat and constitutes foul or unsportsmanlike conduct detrimental to, and in connection with, the contest.”
CHAOS! DEVIN HANEY JUST LAUNCHED LOMACHENKO ACROSS THE STAGE!#HaneyLoma | SAT | https://t.co/5NUYllW4TG pic.twitter.com/MTbprXmP0p
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) May 19, 2023
Following the contest, $400,000 of Haney’s total purse was withheld as the commission worked on finalizing what his punishment would ultimately be. The remaining $375,000 will be dispersed to Haney “at the earliest opportunity,” Bekker said.
Haney retained the WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, and The Ring lightweight titles in his win against Vasiliy Lomachenko last month. Just 24 years old, the San Francisco native holds an impressive record of 30-0, with an even split of 15 by decision and 15 by way of knockout.
