By Carlos Boogs
Vasyl Lomachenko, in just his seventh pro fight, will challenge for a title in a second weight class.
The WBO featherweight titlist will move up to 130 pounds full time as a fight with Roman "Rocky" Martinez is being finalized to headline an HBO card on June 11 at Madison Square Garden.
Lomachenko (5-1, 3 KOs) was in talks to fight Nicholas Walters at junior lightweight, but negotiations fell apart with the Jamaican seeking more money than was available in the pot. Martinez, who holds the WBO title at 130, steps in, and it makes sense.
The card will be contested on Puerto Rican Day Parade Weekend in New York with P.R. sensation Felix Verdejo in the co-feature against Jose Felix Jr. Martinez also hails from the island.
Martinez (29-2-3, 17 KOs) was scheduled to defend against Miguel Berchelt in April but withdrew after hurting his left hand. Now he gets a much bigger payday with Lomachenko, though he'll be given little chance to beat one of the most talented boxers on the planet.
