2015 has been a disappointing year for the great Ukrainian, writes John Dennen
WE have learned some things this weekend. But we haven’t learned anything new about Vasyl Lomachenko. Defending his WBO featherweight title from Romulo Koasicha, Lomachenko did exactly what we knew he could. He was patient, examined the man in front of him, pattered him with light shots from different angles to study his response and as the fight progressed unleashed the heavier artillery. His footwork bamboozled the Mexican, completely outmaneuvering Koasicha at times and once Lomachenko decided to finish him with body shots the Ukrainian was ruthlessly accurate.
But Lomachenko should be further on from the likes of Koasicha. It was essentially a repeat of his showcase against Gamalier Rodriguez on the Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao undercard in May.
Lomachenko is a hugely impressive boxer. I’ve been fortunate enough to see him more than most – I was ringside to see him win his second World championships gold medal in Azerbaijan, his second Olympic gold in London, box against Sam Maxwell in York Hall of all places. I even got to see his pro debut at the Thomas & Mack centre, his world title defence against Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo in Macau and the Rodriguez bout at the MGM. But even my admiration for the great man has faded, slightly, since he won his world title in just three professional contests.
That Piriyapinyo fight was exciting. Despite hurting one hand Lomachenko hunted for the knockout using just his right. But Rodriguez and Koasicha, who accounted for 2015 activity, brought little extra out of him. He is too good for them.
Top Rank has been ruining a lot of talented boxers' careers:
M Garcia
Rigo
Korobov
Mekhontsev
Zewski
Now Lomachenko.
And Gvozdyk (who still doesn't have an opponent for his fight next week :( - compare what's happening to him to the way likewise very talented Bivol and Beterbiev's careers have been managed so far)
Problem is that Santa Cruz, Mares, Russell, Selby, and Cuellar are all with Haymon.
I think Vetyeka is about the best we can hope for as Loma's next opponent. Gradovich is another decent option although getting shut out by Selby sort of took the bloom off that rose. I know people want Rigo but he just split from Top Rank and apparently everyone hates his promoter Caribe so I find it somewhat unlikely.
That's Boxing these days boys. Now the goal of every promoter is to put their best fighters in the ring with garbage opponents and have them beat the hell out of them for 8 or 9 rounds and showcase the talent to cash in at a later date.
Boxing is absolutely miserable right now and I'm tired of it. The only one trying to make good fights right now is Golden Boy. Top Rank and Hayman are both jokes. After Canelo/Cotto, what good fights are planned? Any? No. None.
I'm focusing a little more on UFC now because they get it. Granted it's not boxing, my love, but it's a form of combat that involves a lot of heart and that has a redeeming quality that I can appreciate. I don't find one sided beat downs entertaining so I'm not sure who they are tailoring these fights after but I'm not buying anymore. I wish you all luck with it though.
caldo2025 wrote:That's Boxing these days boys. Now the goal of every promoter is to put their best fighters in the ring with garbage opponents and have them beat the hell out of them for 8 or 9 rounds and showcase the talent to cash in at a later date.
Boxing is absolutely miserable right now and I'm tired of it. The only one trying to make good fights right now is Golden Boy. Top Rank and Hayman are both jokes. After Canelo/Cotto, what good fights are planned? Any? No. None.
I'm focusing a little more on UFC now because they get it. Granted it's not boxing, my love, but it's a form of combat that involves a lot of heart and that has a redeeming quality that I can appreciate. I don't find one sided beat downs entertaining so I'm not sure who they are tailoring these fights after but I'm not buying anymore. I wish you all luck with it though.
Agree GBP is the. Only promotion company matching there fighters tough.
caldo2025 wrote:That's Boxing these days boys. Now the goal of every promoter is to put their best fighters in the ring with garbage opponents and have them beat the hell out of them for 8 or 9 rounds and showcase the talent to cash in at a later date.
Boxing is absolutely miserable right now and I'm tired of it. The only one trying to make good fights right now is Golden Boy. Top Rank and Hayman are both jokes. After Canelo/Cotto, what good fights are planned? Any? No. None.
I'm focusing a little more on UFC now because they get it. Granted it's not boxing, my love, but it's a form of combat that involves a lot of heart and that has a redeeming quality that I can appreciate. I don't find one sided beat downs entertaining so I'm not sure who they are tailoring these fights after but I'm not buying anymore. I wish you all luck with it though.
caldo2025 wrote:That's Boxing these days boys. Now the goal of every promoter is to put their best fighters in the ring with garbage opponents and have them beat the hell out of them for 8 or 9 rounds and showcase the talent to cash in at a later date.
Boxing is absolutely miserable right now and I'm tired of it. The only one trying to make good fights right now is Golden Boy. Top Rank and Hayman are both jokes. After Canelo/Cotto, what good fights are planned? Any? No. None.
I'm focusing a little more on UFC now because they get it. Granted it's not boxing, my love, but it's a form of combat that involves a lot of heart and that has a redeeming quality that I can appreciate. I don't find one sided beat downs entertaining so I'm not sure who they are tailoring these fights after but I'm not buying anymore. I wish you all luck with it though.
Solid post, really.
It has always been a problem. Fact is that the best never have met the best every time out. I have no problem with that, unless you are considered P4P #1.
It's not only his promoter, it's the cold war that is still going on between Haymon and the rest. I've been saying for the longest that Lomachenko is making a mistake staying at featherweight. Selby wanted nothing to do with fighting Lomachenko, he already beat GRJ, and Santa Cruz is always doing his bum of the month. Lomachneko will have gotten better fights at super featherweight. Haymon doesn't have his claws that deep in that division.
Well, they finally moved Lomachenko up as I heard he was fighting Walters coming up. So much more for Lomachenko like a Salido rematch, Miura, Vargas, Uchiyama, and I can go on.
