In just 12 professional fights, Vasyl Lomachenko is seen by many as the best pound for pound fighter in the sport.
In the history of boxing, there’s never been a fighter where in just 12 fights they’re considered the best fighter in the sport. But that’s where many rank Vasyl Lomachenko (11-1, 9 KOs) especially after his 10th round TKO victory over Jorge Linares on May 12 in front of a packed house at Madison Square Garden.
With the win, Lomachenko became the new WBA and Ring magazine lightweight champion, and he also became the fastest fighter in history to win titles in three different weight classes.
As a comparison, it took Floyd Mayweather Jr. 34 fights to win titles in three different weight classes.
The TKO that made Lomachenko the new WBA lightweight world champion. ?? #LinaresLoma pic.twitter.com/xXSt22Ni4g
— ESPN (@espn) May 13, 2018
There were high expectations for Lomachenko when he turned pro after winning gold medals in the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games. It’s safe to say he has not disappointed anyone’s expectations.
The 30-year-old Lomachenko has defeated Gary Russell Jr., Nicholas Walters, and Guillermo Rigondeaux. All three were undefeated at the time Lomachenko defeated them and were at the top of each of their weight class.
Lomachenko’s lone defeat came in March of 2014 in his second professional fight via split decision to Orlando Salido who came into the fight 2.25 pounds over the featherweight limit of 126 pounds.
Since his loss to Salido, Lomachenko has been arguably the most impressive fighter in the sport, and he’s currently on an eight-fight knockout streak. The only other active fighter that’s challenging Lomachenko for best fighter pound for pound is Terence Crawford (32-0, 23 KOs) who will challenge Jeff Horn for the WBO welterweight championship on June 9 in Las Vegas.
The question now is who will Lomachenko fight next?
Fans would love for him to face either undefeated WBA junior lightweight champion Gervonta Davis or undefeated WBC lightweight champion Mikey Garcia. But conflicts between Lomachenko’s promoter Top Rank and Davis and Garcia’s promoter Premier Boxing Champions may make it difficult to make those fights to come to fruition.
Whoever Lomachenko fights next it will be must-see TV to watch a special fighter display his remarkable talents once again as he is on the verge of becoming an all-time great.
