Lomachenko/Russell Purse bid scheduled for Friday

[Dinamita 03]

http://m.espn.go.com/general/blogs/blogpost?blogname=dan-rafael&id=8589

Given that featherweight Vasyl Lomachenko is promoted by Top Rank and Gary Russell Jr. works with Golden Boy (although he is not under contract), it is no surprise that the sides have not engaged in a negotiation for the vacant title bout they have been ordered to meet in.

With no deal in the works, the WBO has ordered a purse bid, which is scheduled to take place Friday at noon ET in Orlando, Fla., according to Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti. Orlando is the site of Top Rank’s UniMas-televised fight card Saturday night, and since the card includes a WBO regional title bout, organization officials as well as Top Rank personnel will be on hand.

Lomachenko (1-1, 1 KO), the two-time Olympic gold medalist from Ukraine, and manager Egis Klimas both say they are eager for the fight with Russell. Whether Russell (24-0, 14 KOs), a 2008 U.S. Olympian, and adviser Al Haymon are interested in the bout remains to be seen.

The title became vacant when Orlando Salido was stripped for not making weight for a March 1 defense against Lomachenko, who then lost a split decision to Salido, leaving the belt vacant.

“There are not a lot of expectations from either side [on making a deal], so the purse bid was called and we’ll see how it will unfold there,” Moretti said.




Will anything happen?

[jas]

[Beercules]

Thank
****ing
God

Please Loma **** Russell up. TBA was tough but couldn't get the job done

[CubanGuyNYC]

Warrr Lomo!

[JDD1]

It is an utter disgrace that these two would be allowed to fight for a title. Shameful. DIsgusting. Loma is in his 2nd (or 8th) pro fight. Russell has fought utter **** opponenets.

The WBO should be disbanded for even allowing this. It was bad enough they let Lomanchenko fight for a title his last fight and that they rank both of these fighters this high given their respective resumes.

Disgraceful.

[mrlopez]

i hope it happens. Loma has some skill but i think they rushed him when he fought Salido who's a very crafty, cagey and experienced vet...bad move!

Im also looking forward to this fight because russell vs tba is getting old, fast.

may the best man win

[WilkinsOlajuwon]

This would be the PERFECT matchup for GB and TR to stop their shenanigans. Neither fighter has long-term commitments to a network (i think) and neither is a revenue driver. Co-promote it with a tiny undercard and GO TO ESPN. See what happens. Try something new, gaywads.

[LouieTMT]

Loma is being managed very, very poorly! Gary is going to destroy Loma.
All the hype of Loma is done once he signs to fight Gary, well it's done any way. Loma's record will read 1-2

[Dinamita 03]

Loma is being managed very, very poorly! Gary is going to destroy Loma.
All the hype of Loma is done once he signs to fight Gary, well it's done any way. Loma's record will read 1-2

Gary is just as unproven on the pro level. Beating 24 tba's doesn't prove anything to suggest he'll destroy Loma. Loma lost in large part due to a lack of experience against a crafty and solid veteran in Salido it's not like he took a beating or was thoroughly outboxed.

This would be a very interesting matchup between two highly skilled( young and untested) fighters.

[MRCHOKEaMF]

Russell will win, if anything he has ring pro ring experience. Loma does not and will get ate alive. In the first fight he didnt know when he could expend energy or let it go. he couldnt gauge what he had left or would have left in a 12 rdr and Gary has been having World champions stay away from him. This loma guy is getting a terrible disservice with this management. But hey, atleast russell will have a belt and make for some great matchups around that weight Loma........well we will see he still has time. But once Russell is a champion theres gonna be some very good matchups