Vasyl Lomachenko vs. Anthony Crolla - 12 April 2019

[Ruthless-RKO]

The deal is done for Vasiliy Lomachenko to defend his lightweight world titles vs. former titlist Anthony Crolla on April 12 on ESPN+ at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti told ESPN. He said Gilberto "Zurdo" Ramirez will make his light heavyweight debut in the co-feature. No opponent yet.

Dan Rafael, ESPN Senior Writer

[Ruthless-RKO]

The deal for the fight, which will headline a Top Rank Boxing on ESPN+ card to coincide with the one-year anniversary of the launch of the network's streaming service, was made between Lomachenko promoter Top Rank and Crolla promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing one day before the promotional rights for the bout were set to be auctioned off at a purse bid at WBA headquarters in Panama City, Panama.

[leejonesjnr]

I doubt anyone involved thinks this is anything other than a lovely story for Crolla to tell after he retires.
I like Crolla well enough and having got into mandatory position he can’t be blamed for wanting the contest and Lomachenko can’t be blamed for taking it.
I think Lomachenko really should acclimatise a little before he moves up in weight again anyway so no problem with this contest, despite it being a 100% certain outcome.

[Ruthless-RKO]

I think Lomachenko really should acclimatise a little before he moves up in weight again anyway so no problem with this contest, despite it being a 100% certain outcome.

I don’t think he’s moving Up again. He’s meeting his matches now at 135.

[leejonesjnr]

I think Lomachenko really should acclimatise a little before he moves up in weight again anyway so no problem with this contest, despite it being a 100% certain outcome.

I don’t think he’s moving Up again. He’s meeting his matches now at 135.

Lomachenko will definitely move up again

[Deserter]

I think Lomachenko really should acclimatise a little before he moves up in weight again anyway so no problem with this contest, despite it being a 100% certain outcome.

I don’t think he’s moving Up again. He’s meeting his matches now at 135.

Lomachenko will definitely move up again

I really hope he doesn't. He's a once-in-a-generation talent and I think he should just focus on cleaning up at SF and LW. He's going to get beaten by an inferior fighter if he continues down this road.

[Oiky]

As uncompetitive as a fight could be,loma by landslide.crolla is a lovely fella n all that but fights like this are pointless imo,it's like watching something you already know the outcome of,something that's very common in boxing

[NoScoutingReports]

Great for Crolla to have the opportunity of a good payday at the back end of his solid career while sharing the ring with an elite fighter, however obviously Loma is levels above & this has the look of a very one-sided affair. Much preferred the Commey unification bout but injury has postponed that, presume that fight will take place later this summer.

[Oiky]

Yeah lovely oppportunity he's a good lad,but boxing supposed to be a competitive sport & I really dislike fights where you know the outcome

[danconnollyeire]

Loma will KO him in under 3. I know he’s not the beastiest of punchers but he can whack and he is good enough to stop a fighter on crollas level literally whenever he wants. He will want to get this out the way so he can get back in the ring ASAP, so a quick stoppage is what’s required

[banjo]

If Crolla's into masochism maybe he should just give Hatton a call.

[Fearful_Freddie]

Poor lad is going to get slaughtered. He should retire after this.

[Oiky]

Be like sparring for Loma,I reckon he will hang em up yea

[kbackup408]

great can't wait for this, absolutely buzzing, my excitement has no bounds !

[Ruthless-RKO]

I think Lomachenko really should acclimatise a little before he moves up in weight again anyway so no problem with this contest, despite it being a 100% certain outcome.

I don’t think he’s moving Up again. He’s meeting his matches now at 135.

Lomachenko will definitely move up again

Oh right. Didn’t know that. Have you spoken to him about it?

[THEBUTCH]

Crolla has earned his shot at the WBA belt, just a shame (depending on your point of view) that he's got the incomparable Lomachenko.

Needs a John H Stracey + Lloyd Honeygham + Danny Williams (thrown in for good measure) effort.

[jamamb]

I think Lomachenko really should acclimatise a little before he moves up in weight again anyway so no problem with this contest, despite it being a 100% certain outcome.

I don’t think he’s moving Up again. He’s meeting his matches now at 135.

linares was a match but i really dont understand why ppl act like pedraza was some difficult fight, loma won like 10 rounds , dropped him twice, and got hit with like 10 percent of peds shots, is it that ppl expect so much from loma that its a letdown if he doesnt win every second and stop the guy?

[Ruthless-RKO]

I think Lomachenko really should acclimatise a little before he moves up in weight again anyway so no problem with this contest, despite it being a 100% certain outcome.

I don’t think he’s moving Up again. He’s meeting his matches now at 135.

linares was a match but i really dont understand why ppl act like pedraza was some difficult fight, loma won like 10 rounds , dropped him twice, and got hit with like 10 percent of peds shots, is it that ppl expect so much from loma that its a letdown if he doesnt win every second and stop the guy?

He definately knows how to win rounds and can probably win many rounds against the best of the best. In terms of his size and the size of those at the higher divisions, it might get harder. Who knows, he might have a go at LWW, maybe fight someone who is the same size as him.

[jamamb]

i think hes defo small at 135, its possible he could get outmanned. thats why im interested in commey, commey is a lot bigger. linares was clearly bigger and not even a big lightweight.

defo i think going to 140 is too much for loma, unless very carefully matched. he is not as big as mikey to pull it off as effectively and mikey of course never fought guys like prograis or taylor.

[ElJefe]

Mikey might be *slightly* closer to the camera, but even so he's quite clearly bigger than Lomachenko. If Loma looks noticeably smaller than a big lightweight, imagine what he'd look like next to a big light welterweight. As good as he is, 140 might be pushing it too far.

Assuming Mikey loses to Spence, if he was to rebound with a win at 135/140 I'd still love to see this fight at 135lbs. Commey's natural size and power makes him an interesting opponent. Berchelt and Tank are at 130, which Lomachenko can probably still make comfortably. I think there's plenty for him at 130/135.

[ElJefe]

Just realised I forgot to mention the fight that is actually happening. Crolla's tight, high guard and come forward style is literally made for someone like Lomachenko to look incredible against. Along with Canelo he's probably the best in the sport at manipulating and opening up that type of defence. I'd be surprised if Crolla sees the second half of the fight to be honest. Even if Lomachenko doesn't stop him I'd expect to see Gallagher pull his man out.

[Oiky]

Just realised I forgot to mention the fight that is actually happening. Crolla's tight, high guard and come forward style is literally made for someone like Lomachenko to look incredible against. Along with Canelo he's probably the best in the sport at manipulating and opening up that type of defence. I'd be surprised if Crolla sees the second half of the fight to be honest. Even if Lomachenko doesn't stop him I'd expect to see Gallagher pull his man out.

Exactly why this fight leaves me cold,it's a foregone conclusion.....like a training session for Loma...

[skanksta]

I doubt anyone involved thinks this is anything other than a lovely story for Crolla to tell after he retires.
I like Crolla well enough and having got into mandatory position he can’t be blamed for wanting the contest and Lomachenko can’t be blamed for taking it.
I think Lomachenko really should acclimatise a little before he moves up in weight again anyway so no problem with this contest, despite it being a 100% certain outcome.

Well put.
I voted Loma pts - it would be great for crolla to go the distance - but that’s heart over head really.
Crolla can retire fulfilled, healthy and able to say, “I fought the great Lomachenko”
So well done him

[skanksta]

I think Lomachenko really should acclimatise a little before he moves up in weight again anyway so no problem with this contest, despite it being a 100% certain outcome.

I don’t think he’s moving Up again. He’s meeting his matches now at 135.

linares was a match but i really dont understand why ppl act like pedraza was some difficult fight, loma won like 10 rounds , dropped him twice, and got hit with like 10 percent of peds shots, is it that ppl expect so much from loma that its a letdown if he doesnt win every second and stop the guy?

First time Loma looked beatable is all.

[ElJefe]

I think Lomachenko really should acclimatise a little before he moves up in weight again anyway so no problem with this contest, despite it being a 100% certain outcome.

I don’t think he’s moving Up again. He’s meeting his matches now at 135.

linares was a match but i really dont understand why ppl act like pedraza was some difficult fight, loma won like 10 rounds , dropped him twice, and got hit with like 10 percent of peds shots, is it that ppl expect so much from loma that its a letdown if he doesnt win every second and stop the guy?

Pretty much. Also forget that it was coming off shoulder surgery. The fact that Tank stopped him doesn't help.