Editor’s note: This article was originally published at MMAJunkie.com.
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Devin Haney has lost a part of his recent fight earnings as punishment for a violent pre-fight shove.
At a monthly Nevada Athletic Commission meeting Tuesday in Las Vegas, Haney was fined $25,000, plus $326 in legal fees, for touching opponent Vasiliy Lomachenko during a May 19 weigh-in faceoff one day before their bout.
“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
The commission withheld $400,000 of Haney’s purse following the fight as it considered what his punishment should be. The remaining $375,000 will be paid to the boxer through the promotion “at the earliest opportunity,” Bekker said.
Haney, 24, retained his undisputed 135-pound championship against Lomachenko when he won a 12-round unanimous decision at MGM Grand Garden Arena. The victory moved his record to 30-0 (15 KOs) as a pro.
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