Is Vasiliy Lomachenko the best 135-pounder in the world? Can’t say yet. Is he a threat to anyone in the division? Without question.
Lomachenko delivered a masterclass boxing exhibition against overmatched Richard Commey before 8,555 on Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York, winning a wide decision in their 12-round lightweight bout.
The only thing the Ukrainian star couldn’t do was stop Commey, who was down and hurt in Round 7 but survived.
Lomachenko, a former unified titleholder, said going into the fight that his goal is to become undisputed lightweight champion. And he performed as if that aspiration is within reach, even at 33.
He used the first few rounds to size up the hard-punching Ghanaian and then began doing his thing, using his footwork to confound Commey, throwing quick shots in combination and proving to be an elusive target.
Commey fought aggressively but couldn’t avoid Lomachenko’s punches or land his own with consistency.
Lomachenko almost closed the show in Round 7, when he put Commey down and hurt him with a short left to the chin about a minute into the round.
Lomachenko turned to Commey’s cornermen, strongly suggesting they consider stopping the fight. They didn’t. He continued to batter Commey. And, again, he implored the corner to step in. Again, they didn’t.
In the end, Commey was tough enough to survive and fully recover only to be outclassed the rest of the way.
“I saw his situation,” Lomachenko said. “It was very hard for him. That’s why I said, ‘Hey, stop the fight.’ He is a true warrior. He has a big heart and we continue and we show for people 12 great rounds.”
The scores were 119-108, 119-108 and a generous 117-110. Boxing Junkie scored it 119-108, 11 rounds to one.
All the top lightweights, except for Ryan Garcia, fought in the past several weeks. George Kambosos stunned Teofimo Lopez to become undisputed champion, Devin Haney beat JoJo Diaz and Gervonta Davis outpointed a surprisingly tough Isaac Cruz.
Kambosos’ performance has to be considered the best of the lot given the opposition. However, no one was more dominating than Lomachenko was against Commey.
Does that mean Lomachenko could once again be the man at 135?
“I said before I don’t like talking about myself,” he said. “We have in this weight division we have a lot of great fighters. We have a lot of top fighters. So we can organize a lot of great fights in the future.”
He covets one great fight the most: Kambosos, against whom he could achieve his goal on one night.
“Yes, of course, I need this chance,” he said. “If God gives me this chance, I take it.”
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