By Jake Donovan
Once upon a time, this weekend was set aside for a planned showdown between rising boxing star Vasyl Lomachenko and unbeaten former featherweight titlist Nicholas Walters.
The manner in which the Ukrainian wunderkind was willing to keep that fight alive was not lost on his upcoming opponent, reigning super featherweight beltholder Roman ‘Rocky’ Martinez. The defending titlist from Puerto Rico had inquired about the $300,000 that Lomachenko was willing to pay Walters out of his own purse had the undefeated Jamaican won the proposed fight.
The offer was made at the time due to Walters’ outrageous financial demands, ultimately pricing himself out of the fight. It led to Martinez stepping in to defend his title, with Lomachenko – for now a reigning featherweight titlist – moving up in weight.
No such financial promises were made for this weekend’s title fight, which headlines an HBO-televised doubleheader live from Madison Square Garden Theatre in New York City. At least, not until the subject was brought up prior to Thursday’s final pre-fight press conference.
“Rocky Martinez asked if I would be giving him the extra $300,000 like I offered to Walters if he beats me in the ring,” Lomachenko (5-1, 3KOs) noted during Thursday’s media session onsite at MSG Theatre. “I am willing to put up (the money) as long as he will also put up $300,000 if I win the fight.”
A win by Lomachenko will serve as a historic moment, as he will win his second major title by just his 7th pro fight.
The ambitious push in his pro career follows an amazing run as arguably the greatest amateur in boxing history, amassing a mark of 396-1 that included two Olympic Gold medals and twice avenging his lone loss to Albert Selimov. One of the revenge-fueled victories came in the opening round of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, for which he earned the Val Barker trophy honoring the competition’s most outstanding boxer.
Naturally, the only thing on the mind of Martinez (29-2-3, 17KOs) is denying his opponent such a historic feat, all while honoring his island mates on the eve of the Puerto Rican Day parade in New York City.
“I always give it 100%, as do all great champions from Puerto Rico,” noted Martinez, who attempts the second defense of his third tour as a super featherweight titlist. “I've worked real hard to get here. I'm very excited to be in the main event. I plan to give a great performance and come out victorious.”
As to whether he’s willing to accept Lomachenko’s side bet offer?
“You were the one who offered the bet (to Walters),” Martinez reminded his challenger. “I'm here to let you know, if you want to beat me you have to kill me.
“But in order to do that, you have to prepare to kill or be killed.”
Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com. Follow his shiny new Twitter account: @JakeNDaBox_v2
