Vasiliy Lomachenko has been in more than 400 amateur and professional fights over about a quarter century in boxing. He knows the difference between words and actions.
Teofimo Lopez, his opponent in a lightweight title-unification bout on Oct. 17, has been using a lot of charged words in the lead up to the fight. Lomachenko’s time has passed. He’s too small. He’s going to get knocked out.
In Lomachenko native Ukraine such comments might lead to fisticuffs in the middle of a busy street, with peace officers among bystanders enjoying the show. That’s the culture there.
But even if he could get away with something like that in the U.S., he wouldn’t be interested. He’ll do his talking in the ring inside the MGM Grand “bubble” in Las Vegas.
“I heard this a lot of times from a lot of boxers,” Lomachenko said on a Zoom call Tuesday, referring to Lopez’s comments. “Then you come into the ring and forget about your words, you forgot about what you promised.
“You just try boxing, you just are fighting. So for me it’s just trash talk. For me it’s just words. We’ll see what happens in the ring.”
A lot of people want to see what happens in the ring.
Lomachenko (14-1, 10 KOs), a two-time Olympic champion, fought for a world title in his second pro fight and hasn’t slowed down. A major belt has been at stake in every one of his fights, except his pro debut, a remarkable feat in itself.
And he has dazzled fans at every step with his otherworldly ability, which has overwhelmed other talkative opponents.
Lomachenko has won five titles in three weight classes in only 15 fights. Has anyone in modern boxing history been guaranteed eventual induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame – as he certainly has – in fewer pro fights?
Lopez (15-0, 12 KOs) also has accomplished a great deal in a short time. The quick, explosive Honduran-American won his first world title by a savage second-round knockout over Richard Commey this past December, creating a great deal of excitement in the process.
The worst thing Lomachenko has said about Lopez targeted his level of opposition. “Who has he fought?” he has asked more than once, a question even Lopez said has some validity. Otherwise, he has acknowledged Lopez’s strengths – his speed, his power, his ring IQ, his hunger.
No, Lomachenko has no animosity whatever toward his 23-year-old opponent.
“Absolutely not. I have a goal, I have a dream. And he holds the IBF belt. I need this belt. And on … Oct. 17 I will try to take this belt,” said Lomachenko, referring to his desire to become an undisputed world champion.
One reason many observers seem to give Lopez a good chance of spoiling Lomachenko’s plans is the veteran’s age, as odd as that might sound. He’s only 32.
That assessment might have something to do with recent fights against Jose Pedraza and Luke Campbell, each of which Lomachenko won by wide decisions but arguably showed signs of vulnerability.
Lomachenko just shrugs his shoulders when the age issue comes up.
“I don’t think about age because I’m just 32 years old,” he said. “Who made the rules about age in boxing? It depends on your personal lifestyle. … I feel great, I feel young.”
His promoter, Bob Arum, who was on the Zoom call, was reminded of a former fighter of his who was deemed ancient in 1994. George Foreman was 45 when he stepped into the ring in the MGM Grand Garden Arena to challenge heavyweight titleholder Michael Moorer. He left with a belt, the result of an unforgettable one-punch knockout.
Arum, 88 himself and still going strong, doesn’t want to hear about age.
“George Foreman said age is just a number, and he became heavyweight champ at 45,” Arum said.
Age is just a number. Words mean nothing. It’s all about what happens when the opening bell sounds.
“I know he is a tough fighter, a good fighter,” Lomachenko said. “It will not be easy for me. We’ll see.”
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