By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda
For three-division champ Jorge Linares, a Japan-based Venezuelan, Tokyo is his second home where he has a great many adherents and aficionados. Linares (46-5, 28 KOs), 137, came back to the Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, after twelve years and seven months, and defeated durable Filipino Al Toyogon (10-5-1, 8 KOs), 135.75, by a nearly shutout decision (99-90, 100-90, 100-89) over ten fast rounds on Saturday.
It was a nightmare for Jorge to have suffered a first-round shocker at the hand of Pablo Cesar Cano in the WBC 140-pound eliminator at the Madison Square Garden this January. His eight-month hiatus probably caused his ring rust, but he outpunched Toyogon though the Filipino refused to go down despite his absorption of Jorge’s solid combinations.
Linares, 34, replied in fluent Japanese in the ring, “I’d like to fight Lomachenko in a rematch.”
We wish to watch it again.
–
At one time Linares was a P4P #1-5 top rated fighter. He was talked about like he was Manny/Floyd rolled into one. Then he lost a few fights by K.O, and was disregarded. When he fought Loma he showed that he still has plenty of pop left in his body, the real question is, can he make any weight less than a welter? Because no way will Loma fight him again after he had come into the Loma fight weighing at least 20 llbs heavier than Loma on fight night.
Agree. Its not realistic for Loma to fight at 140lbs, except if its an incredible offer – both financially and in terms of possible legacy reward. There is very little incentive for Loma to fight Linares again. It will be interesting to see what Loma will decide to do next.
lomachenko is starting to slow down he is not as vibrant as before when he fought Guillermo Rigondeaux & Nicholas Walters
Tweak: actually I totally disagree with that comment. He is always fighting extremely tough fighters, so much so, that his style makes adjustments that are necessary to fight all these guys with different styles. Linares is a perfect example, as is Campbell, who many did not know just how tough and smart a fighter he is. Also the two i mentioned are much bigger fighters than Loma.
He’s not slowing down. His opponents are improving. Campbell is Olympic gold. Best fighter to come out of England in ages. And he’s twice the size of Loma with the arm span of a condor. Fighting to win doesn’t equal slowing down. It means fighting smart.
Linares still looked good with the combos and you got to love how japanese commentary call the body shots. Also saw Jenel Lausa bill this weekend. Not a bad free bill on youtube.
You can kind of trust Linares at 135, but not at 140. He always loses to Mexican fighters, it is like his kryptonite, that is why can’t ever have him as a pound for pound guy at any point in his career. Linares is #9 in the WBC, #10 in the IBF at 135. Why doesn’t he fight Chris Algieri (#3 WBO, 140)? If Linares can beat Chris Algieri at 140, I guess I’d kind of believe in him as a top 10 contender. Algieri is 35, Linares is 34, both of these dudes are old in the sport of boxing.
What is boxing coming too, Linares fighting a guy with 10 fights and 5 losses, these match ups are a joke, Linares should be embarresed!!