Poll: Who Will Back Out of the Russell/Lomachenko Mandatory Title Fight First?

**The Gambler1981** · 03-20-2014, 06:12 PM

Lomachecnko if GBP wins the purse bid and Russel if Top Rank wins the purse bid~

Then whichever side's team won the bid will talk smack~

**-PBP-** · 03-20-2014, 06:17 PM

Keep in mind GBP needs this belt more than Top Rank.

Top Rank has all the belts at 126 except for Jhonny's. Jhonny already turned down Russell. So if he doesn't get this title shot, he's done.

**jas** · 03-20-2014, 06:20 PM

erveryones gonan vote russel

**-MAKAVELLI-** · 03-20-2014, 06:25 PM

it will be the 1st 8-round title fight ever

**PainfromUkraine** · 03-20-2014, 06:41 PM

I don't see Loma backing out, he has nothing to lose - his 0 is gone, why not go for another shot if it is available so quickly? In 1 fight he has already fought someone far ahead of anyone on Russell's resume, and was arguably or not very unlucky to lose. Gary needs to be more careful as he hasn't stepped up yet, has less overall experience than Loma, and has that 0 to keep. Sure, there is politics involved and this fight might hit some roadblocks, but I think it will happen in the end. And Loma will win.

**Bennyhill** · 03-20-2014, 06:42 PM

Originally posted by PBP

I'm not going to lie. I would LOVE to see this fight. You can argue that neither deserves a title shot but if the WBO can make it happen, I'm all for it. You have two of the hottest prospects in boxing both with a lot to prove. Two standout amateurs, one a two time Olympic Gold Medalist and the other a Golden Gloves National champion and the 2011 prospect of the year.

But this is boxing and fights like this don't happen. So instead of getting excited for it, I'm taking bets on who will kill the fight first:

Team Russell: GBP, Haymon and corner

Team Lomachenko: Top Rank, management and corner.

Russell and his team have no stones. They get my vote.

**ShoulderRoll** · 03-20-2014, 06:45 PM

Russell is a horrible matchup for Lomachenko right now. Too much speed for an inexperienced fighter to handle.

Arum is no dummy and he won't send this kid out to get a second straight loss, it would really set back his career. So expect Team Lomachenko to be the ones who back out.

**BrokenHat** · 03-20-2014, 06:46 PM

No way in hell Russel takes the fight. Maybe Loma also would back out, but Russell for sure would never take on a fighter of the Loma's caliber.

Loma had his first test, and didn't fail or succeed, imo. But not failing is a big deal. That fight gives Loma invaluable experience, which leads into confidence.

Russell has ridiculous hand speed, what else? Every single other thing, Loma has going for him. Loma has proved he can go 12 full rounds at a high intensity. Russell hasn't.

Russell and team have proved, they're not going to take chances.

**-PBP-** · 03-20-2014, 06:51 PM

Originally posted by ShoulderRoll

Russell is a horrible matchup for Lomachenko right now. Too much speed for an inexperienced fighter to handle.

Arum is no dummy and he won't send this kid out to get a second straight loss, it would really set back his career. So expect Team Lomachenko to be the ones who back out.

And Arum has more options. He can make:

Lomachenko/Walters
Lomachenko/Gradovhich
Lomachenko vs. Donaire/Vetyeka winner
Lomachenko vs. Rigo

This WBO title is all Gary Russell has right now. I can see GBP winning the purse bid and Top Rank backing out.

Poll: Who Will Back Out of the Russell/Lomachenko Mandatory Title Fight First?