VASILIY LOMACHENKO
VS. TEOFIMO LOPEZ JR.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO
KNOW ABOUT THE BIG FIGHT
When: Saturday, Oct. 17
Start time: Featured fights 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. ET; undercard 7:30 p.m ET / 4:30 p.m. PT
Where: MGM Grand, Las Vegas
TV: ESPN, ESPN+
Division: Lightweight
At stake: Lomachenko’s WBA, WBC and WBO, and Lopez’s IBF titles
Odds: Lomachenko 3-1
***
***
LOMACHENKO BIO
Record: 14-1, 10 KOs
Current titles: WBA, WBC and WBO lightweight
Overall titles: WBO featherweight (2014-16); WBO junior lightweight (2016-18); WBA and WBO lightweight (2018-present); WBC lightweight (2019-present)
Home country: Ukraine (Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi)
Age: 32
Pro debut: 2013
Pro rounds: 131
Height: 5 feet, 7 inches (170 cm)
Reach: 65½ inches (166 cm)
Stance: Orthodox
Trainer: Anatoly Lomachenko (father)
LOPEZ BIO
Record: 15-0, 12 KOs
Current titles: IBF lightweight
Overall titles: IBF lightweight
Home country: United States (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
Age: 23
Pro debut: 2016
Pro rounds: 60
Height: 5 feet, 8 inches (173 cm)
Reach: 68½ inches (174 cm)
Stance: Orthodox
Trainer: Teofimo Lopez Sr. (father)
***
WHY YOU SHOULD WATCH
Lomachenko and Lopez will be fighting for all four of the major lightweight titles, which will make the winner the undisputed champion. That’s a rarity these days. However, the significance goes beyond that. It’s potentially a passing-of-the-torch fight. Lomachenko, No. 1 on the Boxing Junkie pound-for-pound list, is determiend to hold onto his status as one of the top fighters in the world at 32 years old. Lopez, 23, believes it’s time for his generation to take over.
***
FIVE KEY QUESTIONS
Is Lomachenko really slipping at 32? Maybe. Some suggest he is based on vulnerabilities evident in his victories over Jorge Linares and Luke Campbell.
Is Lomachenko too small for Lopez? Maybe. The Linares and Campbell fights took place at 135, a natural weight for Lopez, not Lomachenko.
Do we have an accurate picture of Lopez? Probably not. He has looked sensational against second-tier opposition but has yet to prove himself at the highest level.
Is Lopez the toughest opponent Lomachenko will have faced? Probably. Lopez’s combination of skill, power and size is formidable.
Is this the biggest fight for both Lomachenko and Lopez? Definitely. Lomachenko relishes the chance to become an undisputed champion. And this is Lopez’s golden opportunity to prove he’s one of the best.
***
WHY LOMACHENKO WILL WIN
It’s safe to say that the two-time Olympic gold medalist has one of the most-impressive skill sets of all time. The Ukrainian is nothing short of a boxing savant. He doesn’t have one-punch knockout power but he has stopped nine of his past 11 opponents, including two of four at 135 pounds. He and Lopez both have 15 pro fights but Lomachenko has faced a much higher level of opposition, meaning he has a big edge in experience. Lomachenko has fought for at least one major title in all but one of his pro fights. Lopez has been in one title fight. To be sure: Lopez has passed the eye test but he hasn’t faced anyone near Lomachenko’s level.
WHY LOPEZ WILL WIN
Lopez has all the tools to become a major star: He’s skillful, athletic, quick, powerful and confident. The Honduran-American’s punching power was on full display in his last fight, in which he stopped Richard Commey in two rounds to win his 135-pound title. His biggest advantage in the fight with Lomachenko will be his size. He’s a natural 135-pounder while Lomachenko is at his best closer to 130. When you combine Lopez’s skill set with his edge in size and strength, he will be tough for Lomachenko to beat.
PREDICTION
Tough one. Again, as good as Lopez appears to be, you have to give Lomachenko a significant edge in skills. And he has an enormous edge in experience, especially if you include his vast amateur career. Lopez has that size advantage, which can’t be underestimated. Bottom line: Lopez can’t outbox this opponent on his best day. He’ll have to either hurt Lomachenko with one shot or, using his size advantage, wear him down with punishing shots — including body work — and either stop him late or rally to win a decision. Is that possible? Of course. It’s unlikely, though. Lomachenko is just too good and too experienced.
Lomachenko by UD
***
ALSO ON THE CARD
- Alex Saucedo vs. Arnold Barboza Jr., 10 rounds, junior welterweights
- Josue Vargas vs. Kendo Castaneda, 10 rounds, junior welterweights
- Edgar Berlanga vs. Lanell Bellows, 8 rounds, super middleweight
- Jose Vivas vs. John Moralde, 8 rounds, featherweight
- Quatavious Cash vs. Quincy LaVallais, 8 rounds, middleweight
- Quinton Randall vs. Jan Rivera, 6 rounds, welterweight
- Jahi Tucker vs. Charles Garner, 4 rounds, welterweight
READ MORE
[lawrence-related id=14692,14672,14642,14629,14625,14453,14621,14306]