By Jake Donovan
The intention for Vasyl Lomechenko prior to his pro debut in Oct. ’13 was to make a lot of boxing history in a short amount of time. It’s why he fought for his first major title in his second pro bout, claimed a belt in his third pro fight and now looks to once again set records.
A win over Roman Martinez in their upcoming June 11 clash at Madison Square Garden Theatre in New York City - which airs live atop an HBO-televised doubleheader - will give the two-time Olympic Gold medalist from Ukraine a major belt in his second weight class. He will have done so in just his seventh fight, surpassing the current mark established by fellow prodigious talent Naoya Inoue, who set the record with a 2nd round knockout of Omar Narvaez in just his eighth career bout in Dec. ’14.
“Of course I think about (making history),” Lomachenko (5-1, 3KOs) acknowledged during a recent media conference call. “But I don’t feel any pressure to make history.”
Lomachenko had to settle for sharing a piece of history in obtaining his first career belt, trumping Gary Russell Jr. in their vacant featherweight title fight in June ’14. The 12-round decision win came in just his third pro bout, tying the record set by Thailand’s Saensak Muangsurin, whom outpointed Perico Fernandez on July 15, 1975 to win a 140-pound belt.
Interestingly, Muangusurin was 5-1 – Lomachenko’s current ring record - when his reign ended, suffering a disqualification loss to Miguel Velasquez in June ’76, though avenging the defeat just four months later to begin a second reign.
Lomachenko’s lone loss came as a result of his failed bid to make history rather than share it, when he challenged then-featherweight titlist Orlando Salido in just his second pro fight. The ambitious southpaw came up just short, struggling to overcome the size advantage and roughhouse tactics of his more experienced foe, who missed weight in their March ’14 clash and entered the ring as a welterweight in claiming a split decision win.
Salido went on to claim a belt at super featherweight, which he lost in his first defense in suffering a 12-round defeat to Martinez last April. The two fought to a draw last September and pondered the possibility of a third fight, only for such plans to fall through.
Martinez (29-2-3, 17KOs) was due to face Mexico’s Miguel Berchelt, but was forced to withdraw due to an untimely injury one week prior to their planned March clash. The bout has yet to be rescheduled, as Berchelt was persuaded to step aside and allow the titlist from Puerto Rico to first defend versus Lomachenko.
In pursuit owning this particular record all to himself, the goal for the 28-year old southpaw is to not allow history to repeat itself.
“I’m taking this fight very seriously,” Lomachenko promises. “I don’t want a repeat of what happened in my loss to Salido.”
With a win, the goal for Lomachenko remains the same – unifying titles at whatever weight class he competes. It could mean a return to featherweight, where he still remains champ although will have a decision to make by June 21 should he make history in his upcoming clash with Martinez.
The more likely scenario is remaining at 130, where he believes there exists a greater chance of unification. One such possibility is a potential rematch with Salido, should the Mexican ring veteran emerge victorious over unbeaten WBC titlist Francisco Vargas this weekend, a bout for which Lomachenko plans to be in attendance.
“He can still make 126,” insists Egis Klimas, Lomachenko’s manager who has a reputation for his aggressive pursuit of the toughest fights possible for his roster of talent. “It’s not easy but if there is a big fight to be made there he will make the weight without any problem.”
An outside possibility is a potential run in the lightweight division and attempting to become a three-division champ all within his first 10 fights in the pro ranks. That plan isn’t yet on the radar, nor is any other until June 11 is in the books – hopefully the record books.
“I haven’t yet thought about winning titles in three divisions by my 10th fight. It’s a very good idea,” Lomachenko admits. “I will think about that after June 11.”
Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com. Follow his shiny new Twitter account: @JakeNDaBox_v2
