By: Sean Crose
How rapidly we neglect. There was a time not all that way back when boxing fandom was perpetually knowledgeable that Vasyl Lomachenko was maybe the best fighter ever. That’s ever. And, to make sure, the Ukrainian was completely, positively one hell of a boxer. Just ask Guillermo Rigondioux, or Nicolas Walters, or Jason Sosa or Miguel Marriaga, all 4 of whom give up on the stool whereas going through the person referred to as “Hi Tech” resulting from his superior coaching strategies and skill to show opponents like a faucet. Times, nevertheless, have modified, and so has Lomachenko’s repute.
He’s older now, in fact. And though 34 is now not outdated within the boxing enterprise, it’s not younger, both. Lomachenko additionally misplaced his final main struggle, an in depth battle with the then surging Teofimo Lopez. It was a bout Lomachenko may conceivably have prevented or delay indefinitely. He agreed to struggle the larger, youthful Lopez, nevertheless, and was defeated in shut however decisive vogue. Now, two years and two fights later, Lomachenko is making ready for his first match in virtually a 12 months when he takes on the undefeated Jamaine Ortiz this Saturday night time on the Hulu Theater in Madison Square Garden.
Should Lomachenko win as he’s anticipated to this weekend, there’s a excellent probability he’ll quickly be battling undisputed light-weight champion Devan Haney. Both fighters are formidable, in spite of everything, and each fighters carry out beneath the identical Top Rank promotional battle. With that being mentioned, Lomachenko might properly stroll right into a match with Haney because the underdog. Haney is larger, youthful, and very expert. On high of that, light-weight has by no means been Lomachenko’s greatest division. Junior light-weight seems to have been extra suited to the person’s measurement. Of course Lomachenko gained’t have to fret about Haney ought to he be upset by Ortiz on Saturday night time.
Although not significantly well-known, the 16-0-1 Ortiz defeated the favored former titlist Jamel Herring final spring in what proved the be the ultimate struggle of Herring’s profession. The 26 12 months outdated Ortiz can be significantly youthful than the 16-2 Lomachenko. On high of that, Ortiz is an inch taller than his excessive profile foe, and has a notably longer attain. Still, that is Lomachenko we’re speaking about right here. He might have been overrated, however there’s little doubt the person is an all time nice. Is he nonetheless at or near his prime, although? That’s one thing the world might discover out this weekend in New York.
