Vasiliy Lomachenko: record, next fight and profile →
Puerto Rican star Felix 'El Diamante' Verdejo (22-0, 15 KOs) is well aware that he needs to be impressive when he returns to the ring on February 3rd - if he wants to full secure a June world title shot against Terry Flanagan, the lightweight champion of the World Boxing Organization (WBO).
Forbes Magazine released their latest list for the "Top Ten Pound-For-Pound Moneymakers in Boxing." There were several movements, removals and additions since the last list that was released by the magazine. Still standing in the top spot is Mexican superstar Saul "Canelo" Alvarez. Last year, Canelo was the only boxer who even crossed the half million mark on pay-per-view - with his May knockout of Amir Khan. But his September pay-per-view with Liam Smith barely reached 300,000 - which was remarkably considering Smith was unknown and never featured on American or Mexican television.
Jezreel Corrales of Panama is not ruling out the possibility of a unification with Vasyl Lomachenco of Ukraine, provided there is an interesting monetary offer. Corrales (21-1-8 KOs) is currently the World Boxing Association (WBA) super featherweight champion, while Lomachenko (7-1, 5 KOs) is the World Boxing Organization (WBO) super featherweight world champion.
Mexican legend Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. does not view WBO super featherweight champion Vasyl Lomachenko as the 2016 Fight of The Year. He believes the award should go to WBO/WBC junior welterweight champion Terence Crawford or IBF, IBO, WBA, WBC middleweight king Gennady Golovkin.
As the new year dawns, Orlando Salido - who battled Francisco Vargas to a draw on June 4th in what is considered by many to be the best fight of 2016 - isn't doing all that much.
In its previous episode, HBO Sports moved Vasyl Lomachenko into the top spot on “The Fight Game with Jim Lampley” pound-for-pound list. On Wednesday night, Lampley announced during the show’s newest episode that Lomachenko was chosen as the show’s “Fighter of the Year” for 2016. Ukraine’s Lomachenko (7-1, 5 KOs), the WBO world super featherweight champion, had a spectacular 2016 and edged Carl Frampton, Andre Ward, Terence Crawford, Manny Pacquiao, Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez, Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin for the award, according to Lampley, HBO’s longtime blow-by-blow announcer.
For two and a half years, Mikey Garcia was 'frozen' due to a contractual dispute with his former promoter, Top Rank. After solving his problem, Garcia returned to the ring in July and crushed former champion Elio Rojas.
Former world champion Orlando Salido was hoping to get the second opportunity to face WBC super featherweight king Francisco Vargas, but instead his team is putting the finishing touches on an HBO televised rematch with Ukrainian star Vasyl Lomachenko, who holds the WBO super featherweight world title.
During his most recent episode of Golpe a Golpe, former four division world champion Juan Manuel Marquez handed out his year-end awards for 2016. For "prospect of the year" - Marquez handed out the award to Diego De La Hoya, who is the cousin of six division champion Oscar De La Hoya.
Heavyweight: Alexander Povetkin’s failed drug test result scuttled a fight with Bermane Stiverne (who also tested positive for a PED on the way to their proposed fight). Stiverne’s test result was already excused. Povetkin has yet to be suspended. Until that is resolved, he remains rated for the time being. Several men near the top of the class were in action recently but none won against anyone they weren’t supposed to beat so the ratings remain as they were. Stiverne, despite being inactive for a year, remains rated as his recent cancellation was not his fault. Andy Ruiz enters the top ten off a strong showing in a loss to Joseph Parker, replacing Lucas Browne.