WE have learned some things this weekend. But we haven’t learned anything new about Vasyl Lomachenko. Defending his WBO featherweight title from Romulo Koasicha, Lomachenko did exactly what we knew he could. He was patient, examined the man in front of him, pattered him with light shots from different angles to study his response and as the fight progressed unleashed the heavier artillery. His footwork bamboozled the Mexican, completely outmaneuvering Koasicha at times and once Lomachenko decided to finish him with body shots the Ukrainian was ruthlessly accurate.
But Lomachenko should be further on from the likes of Koasicha. It was essentially a repeat of his showcase against Gamalier Rodriguez on the Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao undercard in May.
Lomachenko is a hugely impressive boxer. I’ve been fortunate enough to see him more than most – I was ringside to see him win his second World championships gold medal in Azerbaijan, his second Olympic gold in London, box against Sam Maxwell in York Hall of all places. I even got to see his pro debut at the Thomas & Mack centre, his world title defence against Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo in Macau and the Rodriguez bout at the MGM. But even my admiration for the great man has faded, slightly, since he won his world title in just three professional contests.
That Piriyapinyo fight was exciting. Despite hurting one hand Lomachenko hunted for the knockout using just his right. But Rodriguez and Koasicha, who accounted for 2015 activity, brought little extra out of him. He is too good for them.
Bookmarks