“DEEBO vs Hi-Tech. Some will say size. I knew it was the skills,” Bill posted on X.
Devin won a unanimous decision by scores of 116-112 and 115-113 twice to retain his undisputed lightweight championship. The result drew immediate criticism, with many fans believing the then-35-year-old Lomachenko deserved the victory.
The controversy never completely disappeared. Lomachenko surged late, particularly in rounds 10 and 11, while Devin took the 12th on all three cards. Judge Dave Moretti’s 116-112 scorecard received heavy criticism for giving Devin the 10th round.
Physical advantages were also part of the criticism. Devin was 24 and considerably younger than Lomachenko, who had spent much of his career at featherweight and junior lightweight before moving to 135 pounds.
Bill clearly remembers those arguments. Nobody required him to defend the victory this week or explain why Devin won. He chose to bring the fight back up himself.
That is what makes the post interesting. More than three years have passed, yet Bill is still making the case that Devin beat Lomachenko because of his skills rather than his youth or size.
Public opinion is unlikely to change this late. Fans watched the fight and reached their conclusions years ago. Repeatedly defending the decision probably won’t persuade those who remain convinced Lomachenko deserved it.
Bill has done something similar with Ryan Garcia’s positive drug test following their 2024 fight. The result was changed to a no-contest, but fans also remember watching Garcia drop Devin three times. Changing the official result cannot erase what people watched in the ring.
Devin has more relevant business now. He holds the WBO welterweight title, with major fights available at 147 pounds.
Bill would be better served promoting those fights instead of continuing to relive old disputes. The Lomachenko victory has been in Devin’s record for more than three years. Bill still seems to be searching for something the scorecards couldn’t provide: acceptance from the people who watched the fight and thought Lomachenko won.
