By Steve Kim
So coming off his dominant seventh-round stoppage of Miguel Marriaga on Saturday night in Los Angeles, what's next for WBO super featherweight titlist, Vasyl Lomachenko (9-1, 7 KO's)?
"He's coming back in December," promoter Bob Arum told a group of reporters in the immediate aftermath of his latest exhibition of boxing skill at the Microsoft Theater. Now, the question is just who he will be paired up with.
The name of lightweight contender, Ray Beltran - who decisioned Bryan Vasquez over ten rounds in the nights co-main - was brought up but Arum stated - "Ray Beltran is looking to win a lightweight title. So eventually I would make a Beltran and Lomachenko bout after Beltran has an opportunity to win a lightweight title. Beltran wants to win a lightweight title and then I can put him in with Lomachenko."
So then who?
''Well, there's a few guys," said Arum, who added," (Guillermo) Rigondeaux if he answers Dino (Duva's) call. There's (Orlando) Salido, who's sniffing around and the the third is (Miguel) Berchelt."
Rigondeaux, who's under the Roc Nation Sports banner and has made it very clear on social media that he would like to face Lomachenko (who like him captured two Olympic gold medals). Rigondeaux, who holds the WBA super bantamweight title, says he is willing to move up by two divisions to face Lomachenko at 130-pounds.
Salido, has the distinction of being just the second man to defeat the gifted Ukrainian inside the boxing ring having beat him in his second pro bout back in 2013. Berchelt, is the current WBC 130-pound champion and just recently topped Takashi Miura back on July 15th. Berchelt suffered a hand injury in the fight and believes he might be ready to fight by December.
Arum mentioned December 9th or the 23rd as the next date for Lomachenko.
Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com