Vasiliy Lomachenko returned to London’s historic York Hall, roughly six years since he fought there as part of the World Series of Boxing. Shortly thereafter, he turned pro and has been making history ever since. Lomachenko, the WBA/WBO lightweight world champion, will make his long-awaited United Kingdom return Saturday evening against Luke Campbell at The O2 with the vacant WBC world title at stake as well. York Hall was packed Wednesday evening to watch Lomachenko and Campbell as they participated in a media workout. This is what Loma had to say.
On the challenges Campbell presents
“Luke Campbell is a tall southpaw with a strong boxing IQ. I know I can’t look past a fighter with his skills. He won an Olympic gold medal and has had a lot of success as a pro.”
On making his UK debut as a pro
“I have wanted to fight in London ever since I turned pro. The fans appreciate my boxing style, and every time I’ve come here, they make me feel appreciated. Campbell is from the UK, but I feel very comfortable.”
On potentially unifying three of the lightweight world titles
“This brings me one step closer to my main goal of having all the belts. I want to ‘unificate’ all of the titles. That is my next goal in boxing. I have won titles in three weight categories, but I never won all four belts in a division. So, for me, Campbell is a very important name as I write my boxing history.”
“I want to make history. That’s the most important thing for me. When I turned pro, I wanted to win a world title right away, and I tied a record by winning a world title in my third fight. Now, I want to make a different {type of} history. Very few fighters have won all four titles. It would mean a lot for me to accomplish this.”
On training at home in Ukraine for this fight
“I trained at the Olympic Sports Centre in Kiev, and it was nice to train at home. We did not change much with my preparation, but I feel very good physically. The weather was good, and I am 100 percent ready for whatever Luke Campbell brings.”
Too bad there aren’t any heavy hitting brawlers with a good chin in that division or he would be one and done. That division went South decades and decades ago.
What are you talkin about? Lomachenko can handle brawlers with a good chin. If that’s another stab of the salido history then you’re a typical casual racist who just hates white fighters. Loma is the best fighter in the world and you need to get over it, kid.
He is one of the best, but not the best. Limited opposition (not his fault) make him looks better of what he is, but he struggles with some fighters that could have been decimated in minutes by the real greats. How long could have lasted Linares or Pedraza against Duran or Chavez? To be the best a fighter should be dominant against not elite opposition (Pedraza and Linares are not) and Lomachenko has failed in doing that. Spence, Crawford, Usyk and even Gervonta Davis have fulfilled well the expectations, but Lomachenko hasn’t
The Loma “case” is very unusual in pro boxing history. I think what people see in him more than his still limited pro resume (in terms of numbers of fights and P4P opposition) are his outstanding and brilliant performances.
There are plenty of current and past world champions who admit that they are stunned by what Loma does in the ring. He is a master boxer who is always on top of his game, and always entertaining. His style is completely different than a Duran or Chavez, but in my opinion equally effective.
As an amateur, he had 396 wins, with 1 loss (which he avenged twice). That’s something neither Chavez nor Duran could have accomplished.
Its a fact that Loma is fighting the best opposition he can and so far, he has embarrassed them all with his display of amazing boxing skills.
As I mentioned before, his biggest “problem” is that there’s not enough great opposition in his division and he can’t move up because of his limited size.
With the possible exception of Usyk every fighter you mentioned has been big for his Division. Even with that distinction Spence couldn’t get Garcia out.
Loma is a tiny Lightweight! Both Pedraza and Linares looked huge compared to him. I didnt see the actual weights the night of the fight, but I’d guess there was 15 to 20 pounds difference. Not only did Loma get off the canvas, but went on to stop Linares. Personally, I think the Division he should be unificating is 130 or maybe even 126.
It’s worth noting that he made a veritable murder’s row quit when fighting at the lower weights. It’s also worth noting that Loma didn’t really want Riggo, because he thought he was too big for him.
Best fighter in the world? WTF? Haha
Exactly but i would consider him Russian slavic , white like the British fighters etc. No they are superior figjters kicking a lot of ass with a totally different mindset and the have lots of heart .The Mexicans as Hispanics and Slavic are dominating the boxings scene specifically Mexicans have more titles then anyone right now.The Black fighters Deontay was beaten easly by Tyson.The other scrubs Charlo clowns are nothing have been exposed typical big mouth a la Broner. Thurman was exposed .In the welterweight you have totally overrated bud Crawford whos claim to fame was a much smaller Gamboa he could not ko glass chin khan.He has not fought Spence who is probably the only real deal , but fighting 4 division Champ much smaller guy and going the distance does not show me much .The other is a B fighter. Porter will loose to spence .They know 8 division winner and old pacman still might whip there Ass because they been ducking have not had a.fight with a top notch fighter just like Davis tank he has fought sorry previously kod powder punching scrubs. He fights reckless though good power he has not been tested Lomo would no doubt abuse him and Ramirez who has more power then him would put a RPG in that tank. Lomo and Canelo have fought the very best and are at least to division Champions they are 1 and 2 no doubt unless Mayweather came back he is another beast the best .You M.F aint proven shit just talking B.S .The same M.F that picked Jacobs who is a tough fighter over Canelo and triple G things have changed since the 70s and 80s the Mexicans and Russians are beating that ass.
I would not compare Charlo’s to Broner. Yes, they talk trash but they always make every effort to win unlike Broner.
I could agree w a lot of your assessment, but Mayweather would not be 1 if he came back. He would have to come back against real competition, not hand picked bullshit like a UFC fighter, or a Berto type fighter. He would need to fight and beat a Crawford or a Spence. You can’t just comeback against B fighters for money, and still be number 1. Doesn’t work like that
What, like Tank you mean??
The lightweight division has seen better times, no doubt.
The generally considered best lightweight fighter in history was Duran, and I don’t think that Loma would be “one and done” if they would both meet in their prime. Loma’s amateur record was 396/1. Duran’s amateur record was 13/3. Duran was a dominant force in a relatively limited lightweight division at his time, and he ended up having an impressive 62/1 record. That said, over 40 of these fights were against much weaker opposition than Loma ever had since he turned pro. Loma only wants to fight world champions – which makes him stand out in history.
The main question is what Loma will do after unifying the division. He would be very small for a super lightweight, but I think that’s the logical next move in order to achieve official boxing greatness. Chavez, who is considered the best super lightweight in history, was only slightly taller than Loma.
I hope that Loma will move up and challenge Postol, Prograis, Ramirez. No one can say with certainty how these fights will end but at least I am certain that he will never say “no mas” like Duran did when he fought Leonard (whose style had some similarity with Loma: excellent speed, footwork, etc.).
But first he has to beat Campbell, who is no push over.
Man, I think you’re asking too much of him. He’s tiny at Lightweight. It’s not just height, it’s frame. Chavez was just plain bigger. Loma could still make 126 without any problem and while it doesn’t sound like much, I bet he could get to 122 as well.
Lightweight will get better. Tank Davis can’t stay at 130 and he and Loma would be well matched. I actually think Loma should move back down and unify the 130s. Although, even at 130, Davis is no walkover.
Scott: Your points are all well taken and I can only agree.
Frame is for sure more important than height. Duran, Chavez. etc. all had the frame to move up several divisions. At the same time, it would be a shame if Loma can’t get better fights because there isn’t much going on below super lightweight.
Loma and Tank would be a great fight, no doubt.
Let’s see what Loma will decide to do after this fight. He wants greatness and he may have to take some tough risks for that. Regardless, he is at least in my eyes the technically most amazing fighter on the planet at this moment.
Sometimes you just have to dominate a Division and hope that new blood comes along that’ll not only get you paid, but will enhance your greatness.
Two examples that did this are Joe Louis and Larry Holmes. Neither man fought during a golden age of the Heavyweight Division, but nobody disputes their greatness. They didnt have the options Loma does to move up or down, but I think most fans can accept when a fighter says they’re at their best weight. Current example of a fighter who shouldn’t move up is GGG. If you only need a week or less to make weight, then moving up probably is a bad idea.
My hope is that Loma gets the fights he deserves without having to move up or God forbid he gets into that catch weight silliness.
How so? He’s got all the tools to prove he’s legit. Salido had both attributes and needed to cheat in more than one way to beat an inexperienced pro. Things would’ve been much different had he not gotten away with dirty tactics that went unnoticed by the ref.
Now come on Jesse… You know that’s not a word
Mocking Loma for using a wrong word lol at least he tries to speak English. Always trying to better himself clearly. The guy’s impressive.
Always an excuse for sone! How about American boxers who grew up in the projects going to bad schools but are still smart even though they have bad grammar? They don’t get a freaking pass. You even tease them when they’re punch drunk from being entertaining warriors= hypocrites
It wouldn’t surprise me if ‘unificate’ was said as a joke. Loma is a character.
Lomachenko in 12! Campbell to run all night long like the chicken he is.
Campbell is no chicken – he’s an Olympic gold medalist and accomplished fighter. If he were a “chicken” as you say, then Loma wouldn’t need “12 rounds” to beat him. So, your statement above makes no sense to me, no matter how I look at it.
Hopefully that means he wants to get all the titles then shit on them unify/deficate = unificate
Unificate? Is that Russian ebonics?
Always an excuse for sone! How about American boxers who grew up in the projects going to bad schools but are still smart even though they have bad grammar? They don’t get a freaking pass. You even tease them when they’re punch drunk from being entertaining warriors= hypocrites
I am looking forward to the fight as I do all of Loma’s fight. This one is not a gimme. I don’t see the point in ranking him against Duran or Chavez or Benny Leonard or even Ike Williams. It’s too early in his career.
Luke doesn’t stand a chance!!
Loma is/will be the best boxer ever…period!
What he has done will never, I mean ” never”be replicated!
Sasha: I am a huge Loma fan, but your statements are just not a fact at this point. Loma is amazing but in order to become the best boxer in history, he will have to win against a few more world champions, and more importantly, against P4P greats. I hope he will do just that and then your statement above will be accurate.
Any of Lomachenko’s opponents to date could haven’t been able to pass the 5 round against a real all time great, whether at 126 (Salvador Sanchez or Azumah Nelson, just to mention few), Alexis Arguello or Manny Pacquiao at 130, Duran and Chavez at 135.
IMO 25 to 40 smateur fights is more than enough to be ready to try a professional endeavor. Lomachenko went through to an insanely number of amateur fights wasting his youth and talent in that. I am very sure we didn’t have the opportunity to see the best of him, that could have happened if he had started as a professional when he was around 19. The version we have now is the one that I disagree could be compared with the real all time greats, the one we missed is the one that could have been a dominant 126-130 maybe better than anyone in the boxing history at that weight classes. Lomachenko knows he is getting old at a fast pace and that is the reason he is in the fast track from the beginning, too late IMO to reach the greatness wasted
Mikemiguel: as so often, your points are well taken.
Considering how outstanding Loma is, he may surprise us all with his next moves. I assume that he will take major risks in order to continue to make history. If he can win against even just a few P4P greats, he will cement his place as one of the technically best boxers in history. Even a win over Campbell would be worth a lot – Campbell is the most successful amateur boxer in British history. It may be late for Loma to achieve a unique status in boxing history, but not necessarily too late.
I know that the comparison with Duran or Chavez is difficult, but I honestly think that neither Duran nor Chavez had the boxing IQ or the masterful skills of Loma. Loma reminds me of Sugar Ray Leonard or a prime Roy Jones Jr. – an extraordinary technician and brilliant mind in the ring. Duran had some of the heaviest hands in boxing history, but his boxing IQ never impressed me. Leonard was able to completely embarrass and win two out of three fights against him. Loma has that same IQ in the ring and that is worth more than just brute power.
Lomachenko ring IQ is higher than the ones you have mentioned Stone. Go higher than 135 would be a mistake, go down to 130 and clean up should be more appropriated IMO
I’d love to see him unify at Lightweight and either defend against Davis at 135 or move down to 130 and fight him. For me that’s the best fight available to Loma right now and assuming he wins I’d love to see him unify at 130. How historic and unprecedented would that be?
Little trendies tend to think equality means $h*t on whites.. And thats even playing field to them, they’ve been taught that equality means everyone but whites. This site is filled with a bunch of raggedy Hoodrat scumball, “where my entitlement’s ee-uh???” Trash pandas. They don’t have to like it.. But it doesn’t change the truth. Any downvotes are these little miscreants showing their true colors.. So lets have em!!!
There are some people that will not give credit no matter who it is. Loma has done things in his short pro career that we’ve never seen before. Not from Louis, Dempsey, Robinson, Marciano, Liston, Duran, Chavez, Leonard, Pryor, Jones jr, Ali, Foreman, Tyson, Holyfield. Now these are not names that I use lightly. Loma has made top P4P fighters quit. Not one, at this point but four!!! Even Leonard could not make four fighters quit, even Tyson. And yet after virtually no time as a pro, he has made fighters that were deemed unbeatable quit. This is the fighter that has shown everyone a new game.A new style. You cannot find another fighter that has ever accomplished so much in such a short career. Show me anyone in the history of the game that has fought so many top fighters and made them quit, in their 6th, 7th, 8th fight and won so many titles so quickly. The best P4P #1 fighter by far.