By Steve Kim
As Vasyl Lomachenko (9-1, 7 KOs) came over to press row after his seven round destruction of Miguel Marriaga on Saturday night at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, talks turned to just who the defending WBO super featherweight belt-holder would like to face next.
"This question I always have, it doesn't matter - anybody," he answered. "It's not my job, understand. My job is to work my best boxing in the ring."
There is a segment of the fan-base that would like to see him square off with another noted, boxer and fellow two-time Olympic gold medalist, Guillermo Rigondeaux (17-0, 11 KOs).
Rigondeaux, who holds the WBA's super bantamweight title, says he is willing to come up to 130-pounds for Lomachenko. The World Boxing Association recently ordered Rigondeaux to make a mandatory defense against Moises Flores, but the Cuban boxer is fixated on getting in the ring with Lomachenko.
According to Top Rank's CEO Bob Arum, who promotes the Ukrainian, he's been in contact with Rigondeaux's promoter, but they are having some trouble reaching the boxer to make the fight happen.
"As a matter of fact I offered Rigondeaux the fight and I talked with Dino (Duva, executive of Roc Nation Sports) and we sort of agreed on a number and the kid won't get back on the phone with Dino," Arum said.
You wonder if fellow 130-pounders will be reluctant to get in there with Lomachenko, who seems to only be growing in his dominance.
"No, you pay them," said Arum, believing that everyone has their price."You just have to pay them, the guys will go in (versus Lomachenko)."
When Lomachenko was asked how a potential match-up with Rigondeaux would play out, he answered simply - "I think it looks like the same (as the Marriaga fight)"
Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com.
