Vasyl Lomachenko vs. Teofimo Lopez - October 17, 2020

[DrDuke]

Lopez is the higher upside draw. Loma went to hell with Linares, Lopez is much more dangerous. It's time for his test. In a few days we might be hearing about how poor loma was too small.

A flash KD and being rocked on the other occasion sounds like total hell, the raging inferno.

[Onetimeonly]

The fight was in the balance, far from dominating. He was injured, but that was highly competitive.

[DrDuke]

The fight was in the balance, far from dominating. He was injured, but that was highly competitive.

It was a competetive, but clearly Lomachanko's fight (only not for the Oscar's judges and not for the wet dreamers of Loma ending up unconscious).

[Onetimeonly]

I don't think he was losing, but Linares won at least 3 RDS with a kd. Surely that fight doesn't detail thinking Lopez can do better crazy. Obviously loma is the favorite, his challenger is obviously dangerous. Great fight.

[DrDuke]

I don't think he was losing, but Linares won at least 3 RDS with a kd. Surely that fight doesn't detail thinking Lopez can do better crazy. Obviously loma is the favorite, his challenger is obviously dangerous. Great fight.

3 is exactly the number of rounds I'm giving to Linares. Linares major success was in knocking Loma down and rocking him later. I call it the best thing happened to Loma, cause Loma is a fighter, who makes adjustments. He gotta be focused vs bangers now. Of course, it still doesn't take ALL chances from a banger. I won't be surprised, if Lopez manages to KO Loma, but still I'm picking Loma confidently in this matchup.

[Onetimeonly]

I don't think he was losing, but Linares won at least 3 RDS with a kd. Surely that fight doesn't detail thinking Lopez can do better crazy. Obviously loma is the favorite, his challenger is obviously dangerous. Great fight.

3 is exactly the number of rounds I'm giving to Linares. Linares major success was in knocking Loma down and rocking him later. I call it the best thing happened to Loma, cause Loma is a fighter, who makes adjustments. He gotta be focused vs bangers now. Of course, it still doesn't take ALL chances from a banger. I won't be surprised, if Lopez manages to KO Loma, but still I'm picking Loma confidently in this matchup.

I don't blame you, I'm not at all confident. I'm not a high roller but I have $50 on this, same as angulo/quillin. I only bet that low as a flier.

He has to knock him out and loma is tough and hard to catch flush. Recognizing the danger I expect him to be less aggressive and even harder to catch. Great fighter, just like to see what I consider over the top professional worship on here get back to earth. More a wishful pick than mental but I'd be very surprised if it's a whitewash.

[siablo14]

Loma by clear decision.

[Cent0089]

That 250 people in attendance is still actual? Hopfully they make some noise. Watching last big fights (Charlo - Derevo, Charlo - Rosario, Zepeda - Baranchyk) was weird with that silence

[Ruthless-RKO]

[jimcook]

loma wins this fight 99 times out of a hundred.a proven boxing genius . lopez has a punchers chance. apart from his excellentko of commey whohas lopez fought ,and what has he proved.? he didnt look so great against the japanese fighter, who lets face it, is probably 20 percent the fighter loma is.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Lomachenko-Lopez: Judges, Referee Revealed

Referee: Russell Mora (Nevada)

Judge: Tim Cheatham (Nevada)
Judge: Julie Lederman (New York)
Judge: Steve Weisfeld (New Jersey)
---------------------------------
The Nevada State Athletic Commission has assigned an experienced, familiar panel of judges to the Vasiliy Lomachenko-Teofimo Lopez fight Saturday night.

Boxing Scene was informed Wednesday that Nevada’s Tim Cheatham, New York’s Julie Lederman and New Jersey’s Steve Weisfeld will judge their 12-round lightweight title unification fight at MGM Grand Conference Center. The NSAC also has assigned veteran Nevada referee Russell Mora to the Lomachenko-Lopez fight.

Weisfeld scored Lomachenko a 117-109 winner over Jose Pedraza in the most recent Lomachenko fight he worked.

Ukraine’s Lomachenko (14-1, 10 KOs) won that 12-round bout by unanimous decision in December 2018 at Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theater in New York. Judge Joseph Pasquale scored Lomachenko-Pedraza the same as Weisfeld, whereas judge Tom Schreck scored that bout 119-107 for Lomachenko.

Lederman and Weisfeld worked the Lomachenko-Jorge Linares fight together as well.

Lederman had that highly competitive contest even, 85-85, entering the 10th round, when Lomachenko’s perfectly placed body shot kept Linares down for the count. Weisfeld had Lomachenko ahead, 86-84, through nine rounds in their May 2018 battle at Madison Square Garden.

Judge Robin Taylor had Linares in front, 86-84, after the ninth round against Lomachenko.

In Lomachenko’s previous appearance, Weisfeld had Lomachenko in front, 60-53, against Guillermo Rigondeaux through six rounds. Rigondeaux declined to answer the bell for the seventh round in December 2017 at Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theater.

Lederman and Weisfeld worked Lopez’s last fight, too. They each scored the first round for Lopez (15-0, 12 KOs), but Brooklyn’s Lopez knocked out Ghana’s Richard Commey in the second round to win the IBF lightweight title December 14 at Madison Square Garden.

Neither Lederman nor Weisfeld previously judged any of Lopez’s fights.

Cheatham hasn’t judged any of Lomachenko’s first 15 professional fights. He judged Lopez’s pro debut, but Lopez knocked out Mexico’s Ishwar Siqueiros in the second round of that November 2016 bout at UNLV’s Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

Mora was the referee for Lomachenko’s pro debut – a fourth-round knockout of Jose Luiz Ramirez in October 2013 at Thomas & Mack Center. Mora hasn’t officiated any of Lopez’s 15 pro bouts.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Anthony Crolla breaks down Lomachenko-Lopez

“The best chance for Lopez to win is for him to land a big shot because he’s a world-class puncher,” Crolla told The Ring. “I just think that it’ll be a combination puncher that gets to Loma, whereas Lopez is always looking for the big punch and the Hollywood finish. But listen, if one of those big punches land, serious questions will be asked.

“He can’t let Lomachenko dictate the pace all the time. Lopez has got to land early and get some respect, and interestingly enough I think Lomachenko is going to come out very aggressive in this fight. There’s been a lot of talk from Lopez and I think Loma feels disrespected by him. So if Lomachenko is aggressive and holds his feet a bit more, then maybe that gives Lopez a chance to land. It’s also important for Lopez to make his size count.”

“A round or so in, I think Lopez is going to say to himself, ‘Oh, it’s very different being in here with him,’” offered Crolla. “I think that’s why Lomachenko is likely to start fast and make him feel it early.

“I really respect the fact that Lopez has taken this fight now because he could have welcomed a [title] defense and bided his time a little. I respect that he’s stepped up, but if you’re advising him you’re probably saying there’s room to improve. He had a good amateur career, but he’s only had 15 fights. Don’t get me wrong, I think Lopez is for real, and when he moves to 140 pounds I can see him winning a world title there, too. He’s chasing greatness here.”

However, despite recognizing Lopez’s star quality, Crolla believes that he’s in over his head, and the bad blood, which has been present throughout the buildup, will bring out the best in his former opponent.

“I think we might see Lomachenko do a bit of the matador stuff that he did against Jason Sosa,” said Crolla. “He’s going to be doing a lot of talking throughout the fight and go out of his way to punish him. He’s spiteful, and I think we’re going to see a Lomachenko masterclass on Saturday.

“Lomachenko will make him miss, and I don’t think Lopez will be hitting arms or gloves, I think he’s be falling short. Any fighter knows how frustrating that is and it will make Lopez take more chances. When that happens I think we’re going to see Lomachenko hit his body and hit it hard. I see Lopez getting stopped on his feet in nine or 10 rounds.”

Lomachenko-Lopez + undercard will be broadcast live on ESPN and ESPN+ in the U.S. and via pay-per-view at www.fite.tv in the U.K.

[NateJR]

What gets me is the lucky punch talk and being most people's theory as the only route Lopez has to victory.

I pick Lomachenko to win a hard fought decision, but there are too many unknown factors to say Lopez only has a punchers chance.

But honestly I feel Lopez best chance is to start fast and go for the early KO. This is Lomas longest layoff in his boxing career, so getting on the gas early before Loma has any chance to get into a rhythm would be smart. Not only that, if Lopez can bank some of the early rounds while being successful he can then start setting traps on a Lomachenko that will start pressing more to get some rounds back.

So that leads to the potential of Lopez(the bigger man) to either catch Loma cold, gain a early lead and start setting traps or the potential to break Loma down throughout the fight and that could potentially even lead to a Lopez decision victory or late stoppage.

I expect Lomachenko to simply be too quick of hand and foot and out work Lopez. But I truly feel Lopez needs to start fast and not look to counter early, but to lead often and punch with Lomachenko. It's a interesting fight and can't wait to see how things pan out.

[MightyWarrior]

Can’t shake the slightly uneasy feeling that Loma is fighting @ the wrong weight, when it comes to the real crunch. Much like that other brilliant phenom Roman Gonzalez.

Of course he’s been cleaning up at 135 but not against any really big punchers yet..not even close.

It’s going to be edge of your seat stuff

[alex.ua]

Can’t shake the last slightly uneasy feeling that Loma is fighting @ the wrong weight, when it comes to the real crunch. Much like that other brilliant phenom Roman Gonzalez.

Of course he’s been cleaning up at 135 but not against any really big punchers yet..not even close.

It’s going to be edge of your seat stuff

Yes, it is a wrong weight, but lower weights were not challenging for Loma. Roman is very basic compared to Loma.

[Onetimeonly]

Can’t shake the last slightly uneasy feeling that Loma is fighting @ the wrong weight, when it comes to the real crunch. Much like that other brilliant phenom Roman Gonzalez.

Of course he’s been cleaning up at 135 but not against any really big punchers yet..not even close.

It’s going to be edge of your seat stuff

Yes, it is a wrong weight, but lower weights were not challenging for Loma. Roman is very basic compared to Loma.

[Cent0089]

Are those 250 people in attendance still actual ?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Arum: If Loma-Lopez Doesn't Get Viewers I Hope It Gets, Networks Won't Want To Step Up

Vasiliy Lomachenko-Teofimo Lopez is far and away the biggest boxing match that’ll be broadcast on free or cable television since the sport returned to the airwaves June 9.

Their lightweight title unification match probably is the most significant fight to air on either of those platforms since Keith Thurman edged Danny Garcia by split decision in their welterweight title unification bout 3½ years ago. An average of 3,740,000 viewers watched Thurman-Garcia in March 2017, when a peak audience of 5,100,000 tuned in to CBS to watch their fight from Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

ESPN, which will televise Lomachenko-Lopez on Saturday night, is available in approximately 37 million fewer American homes than CBS. With roughly 83 million subscribers in the United States, ESPN remains an enormous platform for live sports, so huge that many boxing industry insiders will consider viewership of Lomachenko-Lopez a telling figure for the sport’s foreseeable future as a televised product.

“I think the minimum will be three million viewers,” Lopez optimistically predicted to Boxing Scene. “Hopefully we’re able to hit those numbers. And anything beyond that, I’ll be very pleased with. I’m very thankful. I just can’t wait, man. This is the fight of the year and everybody is excited.”

Boxing fans are indeed excited about Lomachenko-Lopez, a grudge match their promoter, Top Rank, has been building for roughly two years. To reach the type of viewership Lopez projected, though, they’ll need to lure large numbers of casual boxing fans to watch on ESPN, ESPN Deportes or ESPN+, each of which will offer the entire eight-fight card from MGM Grand Conference Center (7:30 p.m. ET; 4:30 p.m. PT).

Therein lies the gargantuan challenge ESPN and Top Rank will encounter Saturday night.

Viewership for sports on television is down during the COVID-19 pandemic, even for LeBron James and the Lakers in the recently completed NBA Finals. Boxing viewership on ESPN, FOX and Showtime dipped dramatically over the past four months, which has experts tempering their expectations for how many viewers will watch even a fantastic fight like Lomachenko-Lopez.

“I don’t see it doing over two million viewers,” said promoter Lou DiBella, a former executive for HBO. “It should and I hope it does, but I don’t think it will. And it’s gonna be hard to make the judgment about what the number really means. If it does a million people, it’s still exponentially better than anything else we’ve had since the pandemic, or in the last year. So, how do you quantify success? I’m not sure. You don’t do even over a million people without crossing over to some level of casuals.

“My gut tells me it’s too good, too strong, too meaningful of a fight to not do real business [in terms of viewership]. I’d be shocked if a million people aren’t watching. But does it get to that two million range? I don’t know. If it does 1.2 million, I’m gonna say it’s a good night at the office for boxing. I’m not gonna say, ‘Oh, f--k, it didn’t do two million!’ Because clearly, we’re not in the place we were two years ago. We’re not in a great place right now. Now, I’ll be concerned if it doesn’t do a million.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

For the sake of boxing, I hope this does do well on ESPN.

Over 80 million households have ESPN if i'm right..

I know the previous PBC shows mid year were hitting the 1 million mark, and FOX is available in over 100 million homes.

Arum reckons 3 million.. I'm not so sure.

ESPN have struggled this year, which is a shame..

[Ruthless-RKO]

Predictions: Who wins Alex Saucedo vs Arnold Barboza Jr

Scott Christ

Alex Saucedo was shaping up to be a reliable action star if not exactly an elite fighter, but that wasn’t sitting well with him, which is understandable. He went into his last fight against Sonny Fredrickson looking to switch things up, be a little less reckless, box more, prolong his career and maybe not feed his face to opponents for so much punching. These are good ideas, but in all reality an attempt to switch up style like this at age 26 doesn’t usually result in much when it comes to facing better opposition. By that age, fighters generally are who they are, and have the flaws and strengths they have.

Saucedo’s decision win over Fredrickson was fine in that he clearly won, but it’s not like he wowed anyone previously unseen great skills, and Fredrickson didn’t present much resistance, anyway. Arnold Barboza Jr is a much better fighter than Fredrickson; he may not have any exceptional standout qualities, but he’s a solid, well-rounded guy, a better puncher than his record would indicate.

If Saucedo tries to Box with a capital B early in this fight, and that’s kind of what I expect, he’s going to find himself in a hole by the midway point of the fight. He’s not a better boxer than Barboza. If he later has to get reckless with the rounds ticking by, I don’t think he’s so ferocious that he’s likely to hurt and overwhelm Barboza and get him out. This has some ingredients to be a really fun fight, but it’ll largely depend on what plan(s) of attack Saucedo employs. No matter what he does, though, I just think Barboza’s the better fighter. Barboza UD-10

Wil Esco

Alex Saucedo knocked out Rod Salka last year. If you’re at all familiar with BLH, that’s all I need to know. Saucedo KO-1

Patrick L. Stumberg

Barboza isn’t always as eye-catching as Saucedo, but I definitely like what I’ve seen out of him. His jab and movement look sufficient to keep him out of Saucedo’s wheelhouse and he’s got enough pop to keep the latter honest if he decides to go for broke. Barring a heretofore unseen allergy to pressure on Barboza’s part, neither the blood-and-guts Saucedo nor the supposedly upgraded one that failed to stop Sonny Fredrickson figure to pose much of a threat.

Saucedo needs to drag Barboza into a war if he wants any shot at winning this and I’m just not convinced he’s got the tools to do so. Expect Barboza to play matador for 30 minutes, never letting Saucedo get his feet settled long enough to unleash those heavy flurries he loves. Barboza UD-10

Lewis Watson

I’m expecting Saucedo to attempt to walk Barboza down in this one, taking three to land one, and struggling to cut the ring off. Barboza is the better all-rounder and should be able to walk Saucedo onto some healthy combinations at volume. Saucedo carries a real threat in the pocket and may get his best flurries off in close, but Barboza has the skills to pivot, reset and stem any pressure. Barboza may be able to get a late stoppage in this one if he puts his foot down, but will most likely take a decision. Barboza UD-10

And the staff winner is...

Arnold Barboza Jr (3-1)!

[Ruthless-RKO]

Vasyl Lomachenko vs Teofimo Lopez weigh-in time

Boxing fans can watch Vasyl Lomachenko vs Teofimo Lopez official weigh-ins live stream on FIGHTMAG (featured video up top) and on ESPN2

The date and start time in the US is scheduled for October 16.
5 pm ET / 2 pm PT, which makes it 10 pm in the UK.

Loma vs Lopez weigh-in Australia time is set for October 17 at 8 am AEDT / 5 am AWST.

[AngryGoon38]

I'm in the northeast region of u.s.a. Is this fight going to start right at 10 pm,or is there going to be an undercard/prelims as well..? I ask this because i'm scedualed to work until 11pm tomorrow,but my manager agreed to let me clock out at 10pm,so long's i have everything done. Yeah,we have a big screen tv in the breakroom at my job,so i was planning to watch this event right there,before i head back home.

[Ruthless-RKO]

I'm in the northeast region of u.s.a. Is this fight going to start right at 10 pm,or is there going to be an undercard/prelims as well..? I ask this because i'm scedualed to work until 11pm tomorrow,but my manager agreed to let me clock out at 10pm,so long's i have everything done. Yeah,we have a big screen tv in the breakroom at my job,so i was planning to watch this event right there,before i head back home.

10pm ET main card starts. There is 3 fights on the main card. Last fight will be Loma-Lopez

[Onetimeonly]

I'm in the northeast region of u.s.a. Is this fight going to start right at 10 pm,or is there going to be an undercard/prelims as well..? I ask this because i'm scedualed to work until 11pm tomorrow,but my manager agreed to let me clock out at 10pm,so long's i have everything done. Yeah,we have a big screen tv in the breakroom at my job,so i was planning to watch this event right there,before i head back home.

Coverage starts at 7:30, but it's a 2 hr block from 10-12 so I'm sure it's bertranga at 10, saucedo then Lopez.

[Thomastearns]

Vasyl Lomachenko vs Teofimo Lopez weigh-in time

Boxing fans can watch Vasyl Lomachenko vs Teofimo Lopez official weigh-ins live stream on FIGHTMAG (featured video up top) and on ESPN2

The date and start time in the US is scheduled for October 16.
5 pm ET / 2 pm PT, which makes it 10 pm in the UK.

Loma vs Lopez weigh-in Australia time is set for October 17 at 8 am AEDT / 5 am AWST.

Thanks, 10pm is cool. So far this has been a wonderfully understated matchup.

Will the size difference be as significant as the fans of Lopez are hoping in this battle between the flying feet of Vasyl and the heavy hands of Teo?