Russel Jr v Lomachenko: The Guantlet

[soul_survivor]

Seriously, Arum is making Lomachenko run the gauntlet and I just don't understand why. Now don't get me wrong, I like it when guys are matched tough, especially those that are touted to be the future of our sport but why is Lomachenko being fed to the lions? If the Salido fight taught us anything, it's that Lomachenko needs time.

I think Lomachenko has all the skills on the planet, he is quick and tough and still young. He should have been given 2-3 more fights post-Salido, in which time Russel could have fought for the vacant WBO title, possibly against Salido. Rushing such a skilled fighter is all wrong for Lomachenko, he isn't mentally or physically ready for the best in the pro ranks.

Yeah Russel needs a step up but he is far more experienced than Loma in the pros with 24 fights, some of which have come against decent opponents. Does ARum not understand he is wasting a solid talent in Loma by feeding him so many good fighters so early?

I hope Loma wins but I just can't see him pulling it off.

[ИATAS]

This actually isn't Arum, it's Lomachenko. He demanded he get an immediate title shot when he signed with Top Rank. Arum typically takes his time building guys up but Lomachenko thinks he's ready now. Ultimately it's up to Lomachenko and his manager on what fights they sign, Arum just promotes (although in this case Golden Boy outbid him).

[PainfromUkraine]

He wants to break a record, he isn't in the sport to be waiting around. If a title chance comes - why waste it? Who knows when the next one will be available. As i've said before, a lot overrated Loma (including himself), but that doesn't mean he isn't a special talent. I'm 100% sure none of the top fighters around that weight class (including Rigo) could have beaten that kind of Salido on that night in their 2nd pro fight: he didn't come to defend a belt or fight clean - he wanted to stop Loma in his tracks and use every trick in the book to get the W. That was something Loma wasn't prepared for, due to lack of pro experience. However, after having 400+ fights by the age of 25, there isn't much he is going to really learn from going on a bum streak.

I'm confident that he learned from the Salido fight, and i'm confident he will beat Russell (as you can see by my sig wager).

[soul_survivor]

I'm not saying Loma should fight bums for 20+ fights but he should have fought a few guys from the top 20, just 2-3, built on his experience. There is nothing in sport like pro boxing, the am game, especially these days with massive head gear, gloves and no body punching is vastly different from what is, in all honesty, real boxing.

Loma needs that experience, I agree he has all the tools and no one could have beaten Salido in only their second pro bout, it was ****** to think so. But what allowed Salido to beat Loma? It wasn't his skill it was what he knew inside of that ring. The pushing, the hitting in clinches, the in fighting, the holding and forearms. You don't learn that in the ams, you only pick that up in the pros.

[soul_survivor]

because he wants to....lomachenko was pressing arum to make his 2nd fight a world title fight...and now him and his team are pressing arum again

despite popular belief arum does put his fighters in tough fights if they want it....martirosyan vs lara, donaire vs rigo, chavez jr vs martinez, mikey vs salido, viloria vs tyson marquez etc, etc.

Yes but all those names managed to build themselves up, to become some sort of a draw, mainly looking at Donaire and Jr.

Arum should have put his foot down and told loma's management to take 2-3 fights before going back for the belt.

I do think Loma has a better chance of beating Russel than he did salido.

[Hougigo]

It's what Lomachenko wanted

[soul_survivor]

Yall acting like promoters, especially Arum, don't have a say in what their fighters should do. Arum is one of the greats, he should know better than to put Loma in a fight like this following a loss to Salido.

They may be turning a promising amateur into another Spinks :/

[Hougigo]

Early title fights was the deciding factor for Lomachenko choosing TR. He'd probably shelf himself if he didn't get what he wanted. Getting an early title seems to take priority over money...but he's getting paid while he's doing it since his third fight purse is 600+k

[soul_survivor]

Early title fights was the deciding factor for Lomachenko choosing TR. He'd probably shelf himself if he didn't get what he wanted. Getting an early title seems to take priority over money...but he's getting paid while he's doing it since his third fight purse is 600+k

That is a lot of money but I just think Lomachenko is being too rash. He is a real talent, let him develop. Oh well...

[Hougigo]

That is a lot of money but I just think Lomachenko is being too rash. He is a real talent, let him develop. Oh well...

He don't care. He can't break the record, so now he has to tie it