Even for someone who demanded to fight for a world title in his pro debut, Vasiliy Lomachenko has still managed to surpass the expectations set forth by those who guide his career.
The three-division and reigning unified lightweight titlist continues aims to become undisputed champion, as he faces unbeaten Teofimo Lopez this weekend. Their highly anticipated clash—which airs live on ESPN this Saturday from The Bubble at MGM Grand in Las Vegas—will determine lightweight supremacy.
For Lomachenko, it can also mean furthering an already incredible pro career.
“This is a big fight for Loma. He will go down in history as the greatest amateur fighters in the world with a meteoric [rise as a pro],” Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum noted during a recent Zoom media conference call discussing the event. “We matched him with the best fighters that we can find. He’s always come through.
“Obviously, this fight will continue his legacy if he can be successful.”
Ukraine’s Lomachenko (14-1, 10KOs) joined Arum’s Top Rank stable following an incredible amateur run which included two Olympic Gold medals and a 396-1 mark. His pro debut remains the lone non-title fight of his career, scoring a 4th round knockout of Jose Ramirez in this very town seven years ago.
Since then have come title wins in three different weight divisions, overcoming a narrow points loss to Orlando Salido in his second bout in March 2014 to outclass unbeaten Gary Russell Jr. less than four months later for a vacant featherweight title fight. From there came title stays at 130- and 135-pounds, dethroning three separate titlists (Roman Martinez, Jorge Linares and Jose Pedraza) along the way.
Running towards the dangerous challenge presented in Brooklyn’s Lopez (15-0, 12KOs)—at 23, nine years his opponent’s junior—is merely part of the blueprint laid down by Lomachenko and his team.
“When I came into professional boxing, I always wanted fights with top fighters and world champions,” notes Lomachenko, who is 13-1 (9KOs) in title fights, including a 12-round win over fellow Olympic Gold medalist Luke Campbell in his most recent bout last August. “Now, I have [another] top fighter in front of me.
“I want only to improve who I am and to improve my legacy.”
Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
