Boxing News Boxing News
On a card that could be called “Night Of The Comeback“, three former world champions and a hyper-ambitious two-time Olympic gold medallist all return to the ring after losses this evening at the unglamorously named StubHub Center in Carson, CA.
The Olympian, professional Ukrainian novice Vasyl Lomachenko, 1-1 (1), is coming off a loss to probably the most seasoned of all featherweights in the game today, Mexico’s Orlando Salido, in a audacious bid for the WBO title in March.
Southpaw Lomachenko gave away the first half of the fight to the busier Salido but finally opened up and controlled the later stages of the bout. It was too little, too late as Saildo won a split decision.
Tonight Lomachenko goes for the vacant WBO crown against top American contender Gary Russell, 24-0 (14), also a southpaw, in what should be a very interesting contest.
Russell hasn’t lost many rounds during his five year pro career but he also has yet to face anyone of note, the complete opposite of Lomachenko.
So what will happen when the two lefties square off?
Lomachenko must time the faster Russell with counters but also not wait so long to go offensive. Russell will have to keep on the move, jabbing and launching quick in and out attacks to destabilize his opponent.
Welterweight Robert Guerrero, 31-2-1 (18), a former two-weight world titlist, sat out the last year after dropping a WBC title bout to Floyd Mayweather Jr and comes back against little known Japanese slugger and OPBF titlist Yoshihiro Kamegai, 24-1-1 (21).
Kamegai, 1-1-1 on three previous trips to America, is probably in way over his head here and it will be a massive upset of he can manage to outpoint the iron-chinned southpaw Guerrero.
Former two-weight world champion Devon Alexander, 25-2 (14), makes his debut at light middle, taking on Mexican veteran Jesus Soto Karass, 28-9-3 (18).
Southpaw Alexander, coming off a loss to Shawn Porter, and Karass, coming off a loss to Keith Thurman, are an interesting pairing if Karass can force “The Great” into a fight.
Alexander will probably do everything he can to avoid that against the bigger, stronger Karass and if he is successful at staying on the outside and boxing, he should pass this test.
Chad Dawson, 31-3 (17), will be looking to prove that his consecutive losses to top names Andre Ward and Adonis Stevenson at light heavy wasn’t the end of his career at the elite level.
To start that process, he faces off against 39 year old George Blades, 23-5 (16), who has never won when facing a world class opponent.
It’s a test to see if Dawson can return to title fight contention. He’ll likely win this but must look good in doing so.
