Can Lomachenko maintain rampant rise with Walters win in Vegas showdown?
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Lomachenko faces Walters showdown
In the space of just three years since turning professional after a remarkable amateur career, Vasyl Lomachenko has rampantly risen to prominence in the paid ranks and captured plenty of attention with his dynamic style in the ring.
As far as amateur backgrounds go, it’s hard to argue against the talented Ukrainian’s being one of the best in history, with no less than two Olympic Gold medals, as many World Championships crowns and a European Championship title.
Having become regarded by many as the greatest ever amateur fighter, there was always going to immense pressure and expectation upon his shoulders, but Lomachenko (6-1, 4 KOs) has showed no signs of that effecting him.
Only seven bouts into his career in three years, the slick southpaw has incredibly become a two-weight world champion and will next have the chance of adding to his already glistening reputation on November 26th, when he tackles Nicholas Walters (26-0-1, 21 KOs).
The reigning WBO super-featherweight champion makes the first defence of his second division crown and his stature as one of the most furiously rising stars of the sport is echoed in his odds-on 1/5 price for victory with Coral in this highly-awaited super-fight.
Tough test for champion against Walters
At the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas in Nevada, Lomachenko has the opportunity to take another successful step up the boxing ladder, following an impressive dismantling of Roman Martinez last time out to claim his current 130lbs strap.
The 28-year-old completely outclassed the Puerto Rican at the Madison Square Garden Theater in New York, dominating from the start with his incredible footwork, hand speed and ability to connect from various angles. ‘Rocky’ was eventually stopped in the fifth round as Lomachenko became the fastest boxer to ever win a world title in two weight classes.
His heroics in the Big Apple came after many superior showings at featherweight, overcoming Gary Russell Jr in only his third fight to lift the WBO strap, before three straight impressive defences of the belt against Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo, Gamalier Rodriguez and Romulo Koasicha.
Although, after such early accomplishments, the Ukrainian is set to come up against arguably his toughest test to date in the form of ‘the Axe Man’ Walters.
Tough test for champion against Walters
Lomachenko’s latest challenger will enter proceedings with plenty to be confident about, as he prepares for a bout which many fans have been calling for for some time now.
With the super-bout delivered Top Rank and set to take place at the end of November, Walters is aiming to halt the swift progress of the defending WBO titlist and emulate what Mexican brawler Orlando Salido did back in March 2014.
Lomachenko’s bid to make history by becoming a world champion in only his second bout and break Saensak Muangsurin’s record was abruptly ended by Salido, who earned a somewhat controversial split decision win in their meeting.
The Mexican landed a considerable amount of low blows throughout the contest, most of which went unpunished from the official, while he also failed to make weight and arrived on fight night much heavier than his opponent.
However, Salido was able to drag ‘Hi-Tech’ into a scrap during many periods of the bout, an approach which Walters may aim to undertake when the pair soon collide. The hard-hitting Jamaican is so far undefeated in 27 outings and will enter at 7/2 to reign supreme.
Walters promises Lomachenko KO
The 30-year-old had halted five successive opponents before back-to-back points victories over Miguel Marriaga and Jason Sosa, and the former WBA featherweight title-holder is promising another stoppage success over Lomachenko.
“Any fighter can be knocked out no matter who he is,” stated Walters. “I like fighting the best and I like fighting against great technical fighter like Lomachenko.
“Look at what happened when I fought a great technical fighter like Nonito Donaire. Lomachenko is great, he knows what he is doing in the ring.
“But I always look for a knockout against whomever I fight. If I can do it quick, I will. This is the best fight out there in boxing today. It will be the Fight of the Year.”
With Sergey Kovalev and Andre Ward facing off in an anticipated light-heavyweight bout in the same month, this super-featherweight showdown between two of the best at 130lbs could give fans another spectacle to witness.
With Lomachenko hoping to move towards even more prestigious fights in his career, with Manny Pacquiao having been a touted opponent, the Ukrainian had a simple message for his imminent foe ahead of their awaited showdown on November 26th, declaring: “Walters you are next on my list.”
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