By Elisinio Castillo
Undefeated Nicholas Walters (26-0-1, 21 KOs), who is training hard in Panama, is ready mentally and physically for the upcoming fight with WBO super featherweight champion Vasyl Lomachenko (6-1, 4 KOs) of Ukraine.
The fight has been set for November 26 at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Nevada. HBO will televise the contest in the United States.
For Walters it will be his first fight in nearly a year. He last fought in December 2015 and went to a controversial twelve round draw with Jason Sosa, who now holds the WBA world title at 130-pounds.
Walters just sparred eight hard rounds at the Pedro Alcazar gym. The first four rounds were conducted with Venezuelan Kelly Figueroa and the other with Nicaraguan fighter Winston Campos. The boxers were selected for their rapid movements and speed, as Lomachenko is a very quick fighter with very good foot movement.
"I like these kinds of boxers for sparring, because they require a lot from me. They also move very well in the ring and are very quick," Walters said.
Lomachenko moved up to super featherweight in June and knocked out Roman Martinez in five rounds to capture the WBO world title at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
The fight with Walters was discussed last year, but the two sides were unable to reach an agreement on the financial terms. Walters is very pleased that he's finally getting the chance to face Lomachenko in the ring. The winner of the contest will stake his claim as the best super featherweight in the world.
Walters - better known as the "Axe Man" - sent a warning message to his opponent, letting him know that his axe is sharpened and ready to chop him down.
"I'm getting ready like never before. Just tell [Lomacnehko] that his night is approaching. I'm the best 130-pound," Walters said.