BoxRec

The Ukrainian titleholder Vasyl Lomachenko will have a lot of company from his home country on April 8 when he defends his title against Jason Sosa at the MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland on HBO.

According to Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, the HBO telecast will be a tripleheader that also includes cruiserweight titleholder and fellow Ukrainian Olympic gold medalist Oleksandr Usyk (11-0, 10 knockouts) squaring off against former U.S. Olympian Michael Hunter (12-0, 8 KOs).

Undefeated light heavyweight and Ukrainian Olympic bronze medalist Oleksandr Gvozdyk in a match against Yunieski Gonzalez would round out the tripleheader, Arum said. “In the whole arena, as of yesterday, there were only 60 tickets left,” Arum said.

Looks like a decent card so far.. See Card Here..

Hunter doesn't have a standout pro resume (best win a lopsided UD over Isiah Thomas), but he's got some nice boxing ability and the amateur background is there, with him being a 2012 HW Olympian and winning the trials for the 2008 games. He also has a stoppage victory (outclass rule) over Andy Ruiz.

I don't know anything about Hunter. There is/was only one CW who could beat Usyk - Holyfield, and maybe, just maybe David Haye.

Absolutely class card! Three fights that I think will be entertaining, and though you can say they're one-sided, they're certainly exciting and intriguing! April 8th should be canny.

Anyone know much about Jesse Hart? I'm sure I remember watching him on Mayweather/Pacqiao's undercard, and he impressed me then, can't remember what he's like, does anyone know/rate him?

ValMar wrote:I don't know anything about Hunter. There is/was only one CW who could beat Usyk - Holyfield, and maybe, just maybe David Haye.

Bold claim! I love Usyk.

TheGingerBomber wrote:

ValMar wrote:I don't know anything about Hunter. There is/was only one CW who could beat Usyk - Holyfield, and maybe, just maybe David Haye.

Bold claim! I love Usyk.

I wouldn't be surprised if he became undisputed HW champion. Definitely, he has got a great potential.

Vasyl Lomachenko - Jason Sosa
Oleksandr Usyk - Michael Hunter
Oleksandr Gvozdyk - Yunieski Gonzalez

Usyk is an animal and I can see him having a very successful career. Love watching him.

Michael Hunter is a good fighter, he'll not an easy opponent for Usyk.

He had some good amateur wins (such as over Oscar Rivas at super heavyweight). He was in a close fight with Beterbiev at heavyweight.

Likewise, Gvozdyk is in with a dangerous puncher in Gonzalez, who is coming off two 1st round KO wins.

Usyk is top draw

Freedom2013 wrote:Michael Hunter is a good fighter, he'll not an easy opponent for Usyk.

He had some good amateur wins (such as over Oscar Rivas at super heavyweight). He was in a close fight with Beterbiev at heavyweight.

Likewise, Gvozdyk is in with a dangerous puncher in Gonzalez, who is coming off two 1st round KO wins.

Hunter also stopped Andy Ruiz (then going by Andres Ponce Ruiz).

Lomachenko, Usyk, and Gvozdyk in a triple-header in... Maryland? Are there like a lot of Ukrainians in Maryland? Solid main event, but serious mismatches on the under card.

Hard to tell what level pro Hunter has become given the lack of footage available and his lack of activity since Thomas. From what I have seen he does not seem to be on Usyk's level. However, he does appear to be relatively tough with a decent chin. He also has fairly decent pop.

Problem is he tends to over commit on the right hand and he leans in on his jab too much while not being stiff enough with it. Admittedly, this is based on precious little footage, none of which is recent.