Vasyl Lomachenko (10-1, 8 KOs) is looking to make more history on Saturday night.
The two-time Olympic gold medal winner has captured world titles at featherweight and super featherweight.
And on Saturday night, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, he will attempt to capture his third divisional belt when he attempts to dethrone WBA lightweight world champion Jorge Linares (44-3, 27 KOs).
There were many who did not expect this contest to come off, as the fighters are competing on different cable networks. But a deal was reached, with Linares crossing over from HBO to ESPN, to fight Lomachenko.
Linares suffered back to back knockout losses in 2011-2012, to Antonio DeMarco and Sergio Thompson.
Since then he's gone a thirteen win fight streak - with wins over fighters like Kevin Mitchell, Anthony Crolla (twice), Luke Campbell and Mercito Gesta.
He was helped to those victories by Cuban trainer Ismael Salas.
But for this contest, Linares will not have Salas in his corner. Salas had a previously agreed upon assignment to train heavyweight David Haye in London.
Linares, although much bigger, is the underdog.
Lomachenko has made his last four opponents quit inside the distance.
But Linares is looking to go out on his shield - there will be no quitting in this contest. He intends to test Lomachenko's well respected reputation in every single round.
"I am hungry to win and to continue with my reign as world champion. This is a high-level fight and a very important one for my career because I am going to prove that Lomachenko is not an invincible fighter. We will see what he is really made of when he faces me this Saturday. I believe in myself and I know that I will come out with the victory. I am here to win. I did not come here to quit," Linares said.
