Vasyl Lomachenko v Jorge Linares on May 12th NYC

[TitoFan]

I am a Linares fan and hope he wins but I think he is going to get cut up and lose.

You may very well be right. I'll be rooting for Linares, though. I'd love to see a lid put on this ridiculously premature p4p frenzy that's accompanied Loma since his 4th or 5th pro fight.

Loma deserves credit for what he has done so far, I will not criticise him for that.

I would agree with Ron, that Garcia has been avoided by Linares whilst he cashed in against our Brits who are not on the level of him, Loma or Garcia.

I'm not denying or knocking Loma's skill. It just bugs me that in professional boxing, he got the proverbial "Advance to GO... Collect $200" card (from the classic Monopoly game). Anybody who gets to fight for a professional title in his 2nd pro fight is at the very least going to get a raised eyebrow. Then again, I'll grant that he's fought quality guys right off the bat, unlike a couple of well-known entities who began fighting live bodies after about 40 pro fights. I'm a fan of the traditional way... bringing the guy up steadily until he's fighting for a title after about 13-20 pro fights, give or take a few.

[Master]

I am a Linares fan and hope he wins but I think he is going to get cut up and lose.

You may very well be right. I'll be rooting for Linares, though. I'd love to see a lid put on this ridiculously premature p4p frenzy that's accompanied Loma since his 4th or 5th pro fight.

Loma deserves credit for what he has done so far, I will not criticise him for that.

I would agree with Ron, that Garcia has been avoided by Linares whilst he cashed in against our Brits who are not on the level of him, Loma or Garcia.

I'm not denying or knocking Loma's skill. It just bugs me that in professional boxing, he got the proverbial "Advance to GO... Collect $200" card (from the classic Monopoly game). Anybody who gets to fight for a professional title in his 2nd pro fight is at the very least going to get a raised eyebrow. Then again, I'll grant that he's fought quality guys right off the bat, unlike a couple of well-known entities who began fighting live bodies after about 40 pro fights. I'm a fan of the traditional way... bringing the guy up steadily until he's fighting for a title after about 13-20 pro fights, give or take a few.

Again I say who wants to see Loma beat 13-20 "bodies" the fact that he went straight for top fighters shows he is an exceptional and skilled boxer.

[TitoFan]

I am a Linares fan and hope he wins but I think he is going to get cut up and lose.

You may very well be right. I'll be rooting for Linares, though. I'd love to see a lid put on this ridiculously premature p4p frenzy that's accompanied Loma since his 4th or 5th pro fight.

Loma deserves credit for what he has done so far, I will not criticise him for that.

I would agree with Ron, that Garcia has been avoided by Linares whilst he cashed in against our Brits who are not on the level of him, Loma or Garcia.

I'm not denying or knocking Loma's skill. It just bugs me that in professional boxing, he got the proverbial "Advance to GO... Collect $200" card (from the classic Monopoly game). Anybody who gets to fight for a professional title in his 2nd pro fight is at the very least going to get a raised eyebrow. Then again, I'll grant that he's fought quality guys right off the bat, unlike a couple of well-known entities who began fighting live bodies after about 40 pro fights. I'm a fan of the traditional way... bringing the guy up steadily until he's fighting for a title after about 13-20 pro fights, give or take a few.

Again I say who wants to see Loma beat 13-20 "bodies" the fact that he went straight for top fighters shows he is an exceptional and skilled boxer.

How he got handed a title fight in his 2nd pro fight is what I don't like. To each his own. Too many fighters spend years toiling away to get a shot to have a prima donna waltz in and get a title shot immediately.
He could've fought 13-20 good fighters on his way to a title shot.
Geez... at least 10. Build up the interest the normal way.

[Master]

Whilst I agree with you for ordinary fighters, Loma has proven to be an exceptional fighter and was worth fighting for a title in only his 2nd fight.

[Kirkland Laing]

I am a Linares fan and hope he wins but I think he is going to get cut up and lose.

You may very well be right. I'll be rooting for Linares, though. I'd love to see a lid put on this ridiculously premature p4p frenzy that's accompanied Loma since his 4th or 5th pro fight.

Loma deserves credit for what he has done so far, I will not criticise him for that.

I would agree with Ron, that Garcia has been avoided by Linares whilst he cashed in against our Brits who are not on the level of him, Loma or Garcia.

I'm not denying or knocking Loma's skill. It just bugs me that in professional boxing, he got the proverbial "Advance to GO... Collect $200" card (from the classic Monopoly game). Anybody who gets to fight for a professional title in his 2nd pro fight is at the very least going to get a raised eyebrow. Then again, I'll grant that he's fought quality guys right off the bat, unlike a couple of well-known entities who began fighting live bodies after about 40 pro fights. I'm a fan of the traditional way... bringing the guy up steadily until he's fighting for a title after about 13-20 pro fights, give or take a few.

Again I say who wants to see Loma beat 13-20 "bodies" the fact that he went straight for top fighters shows he is an exceptional and skilled boxer.

How he got handed a title fight in his 2nd pro fight is what I don't like. To each his own. Too many fighters spend years toiling away to get a shot to have a prima donna waltz in and get a title shot immediately.
He could've fought 13-20 good fighters on his way to a title shot.
Geez... at least 10. Build up the interest the normal way.

He was a one off with all the amateur experience and the gymnastics and so on. It is a different game when they take the headguards off and put the little gloves on but he'd already sparred a bunch of pros and thought he could handle it. And there's no better way to create interest than fighting for a belt in your second fight rather than knocking over a dozen tomato cans.

[Batman]

I am a Linares fan and hope he wins but I think he is going to get cut up and lose.

You may very well be right. I'll be rooting for Linares, though. I'd love to see a lid put on this ridiculously premature p4p frenzy that's accompanied Loma since his 4th or 5th pro fight.

Loma deserves credit for what he has done so far, I will not criticise him for that.

I would agree with Ron, that Garcia has been avoided by Linares whilst he cashed in against our Brits who are not on the level of him, Loma or Garcia.

I'm not denying or knocking Loma's skill. It just bugs me that in professional boxing, he got the proverbial "Advance to GO... Collect $200" card (from the classic Monopoly game). Anybody who gets to fight for a professional title in his 2nd pro fight is at the very least going to get a raised eyebrow. Then again, I'll grant that he's fought quality guys right off the bat, unlike a couple of well-known entities who began fighting live bodies after about 40 pro fights. I'm a fan of the traditional way... bringing the guy up steadily until he's fighting for a title after about 13-20 pro fights, give or take a few.

Again I say who wants to see Loma beat 13-20 "bodies" the fact that he went straight for top fighters shows he is an exceptional and skilled boxer.

How he got handed a title fight in his 2nd pro fight is what I don't like. To each his own. Too many fighters spend years toiling away to get a shot to have a prima donna waltz in and get a title shot immediately.
He could've fought 13-20 good fighters on his way to a title shot.
Geez... at least 10. Build up the interest the normal way.

I don't see the problem to be honest, I always say the same about footballers, if you are good enough you are old enough, if you are ready to compete at world level at your second pro fight go for it, it ain't like he won the belt and held it to ransom, he has fought Walters and Rigo (fair enough Rigo was 2 weight classes below but at the time a fair few people were tipping Rigo, it wasn't exactly Khan v Canelo was it)

If Daniel 'Dubious' Dubois looked like he could be a threat to AJ or Wilder at just 7 pro fights and at the age of 20 I would be screaming for them to chuck him in the ring with them.

I'm not a fan of marinating fights or padding records.

Your men who have spent years toiling away to get their shot can still get their shot, it'll just be against Loma and not the previous belt holder.

[Silkeyjoe]

Cangt believe Loma opened a 1/10 fav. I think he wins but think Id take a stab on Linares at 5/1 or bigger

[Primo Carnera]

Cangt believe Loma opened a 1/10 fav. I think he wins but think Id take a stab on Linares at 5/1 or bigger

You think Linares loses, but you’d back him anyway? I know the odds are shite, but aren’t you falling for your own trick there? Being enticed by a falsely inflated price.

[Violent Demise]

Outstanding match up. In his career Linares has been both overrated and underrated. Regardless the bottom line doesn't change. He's an excellent fighter. His skills and experience pose a big problem for Lomachenko. While I don't think Linares should be the favorite. I don't think he's the underdog either. It's a 50-50 in my opinion

[Dark Lord Al]

Outstanding match up. In his career Linares has been both overrated and underrated. Regardless the bottom line doesn't change. He's an excellent fighter. His skills and experience pose a big problem for Lomachenko. While I don't think Linares should be the favorite. I don't think he's the underdog either. It's a 50-50 in my opinion

Welcome back G , i don't think its an even match . Linares struggled with Anthony Crolla , Lomachenko wins easily KO 8.
HE IS LIGHT YEARS ABOVE LINARES. B + fighter v A+ .

[Violent Demise]

Outstanding match up. In his career Linares has been both overrated and underrated. Regardless the bottom line doesn't change. He's an excellent fighter. His skills and experience pose a big problem for Lomachenko. While I don't think Linares should be the favorite. I don't think he's the underdog either. It's a 50-50 in my opinion

Welcome back G , i don't think its an even match . Linares struggled with Anthony Crolla , Lomachenko wins easily KO 8.
HE IS LIGHT YEARS ABOVE LINARES. B + fighter v A+ .

That was just Linares fighting down to the level of his competition. Something he has a habit of doing. He'll bring his A game against Lomachenko. Will it be enough? We'll find out

[smashup]

THE WBA WORLD LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE

BoxNation have renewed their long-standing output deal with promoters Top Rank which will see the highly anticipated World Title showdown between pound-for-pound star Vasyl Lomachenko and WBA Lightweight Champion Jorge Linares screened live and exclusive.
Sky customers can use code CHAMPIONS when buying BoxNation for free registration (usually £. Offer ends midnight on Saturday 19th May.
The May 12th clash will see Ukrainian star Lomachenko move up to the 135-pound weight division as he looks to become a three-weight World Champion in only his 12th outing as a professional.
However, he faces one of boxing’s very best in Venezuelan hotshot Linares who is riding a 13-bout unbeaten streak dating back to 2012 and will be looking to prove to 30-year-old Lomachenko that he has bitten off more than he can chew with his move up.
"This is the fight that boxing fans wanted. This will be a super fight between two of the best champions," Linares said. "Not only will I demonstrate why I'm the best Lightweight in the world, but also that I'm one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. I have the speed, skill and power to win this battle. This May 12, Vasyl Lomachenko will bow down to 'King' Jorge."
Taking place at the iconic Madison Square Garden, 'Hi-Tech' Lomachenko can’t wait to grace the famous arena.
"We are very excited about the fight. It should be a great one. Fans from around the world have been waiting for Jorge and me to fight," Lomachenko said. "We appreciate the work Top Rank did to put this fight together, and thanks to the television networks that helped make it happen. I am looking forward to May 12 in New York to make my debut in the big arena at Madison Square Garden."

[Master]

Linares will get sliced and diced by Loma. I am not looking forward to this.

[smashup]

Linares will get sliced and diced by Loma. I am not looking forward to this.

All proper fight fans should want to watch a guy who looks set to become a 3 weight world champion in only his 12th pro contest

I wanna see Loma in with Gervonta Davis sometime soon

[Spicoli]

I am a Linares fan and hope he wins but I think he is going to get cut up and lose.

You may very well be right. I'll be rooting for Linares, though. I'd love to see a lid put on this ridiculously premature p4p frenzy that's accompanied Loma since his 4th or 5th pro fight.

Loma deserves credit for what he has done so far, I will not criticise him for that.

I would agree with Ron, that Garcia has been avoided by Linares whilst he cashed in against our Brits who are not on the level of him, Loma or Garcia.

I'm not denying or knocking Loma's skill. It just bugs me that in professional boxing, he got the proverbial "Advance to GO... Collect $200" card (from the classic Monopoly game). Anybody who gets to fight for a professional title in his 2nd pro fight is at the very least going to get a raised eyebrow. Then again, I'll grant that he's fought quality guys right off the bat, unlike a couple of well-known entities who began fighting live bodies after about 40 pro fights. I'm a fan of the traditional way... bringing the guy up steadily until he's fighting for a title after about 13-20 pro fights, give or take a few.

Again I say who wants to see Loma beat 13-20 "bodies" the fact that he went straight for top fighters shows he is an exceptional and skilled boxer.

How he got handed a title fight in his 2nd pro fight is what I don't like. To each his own. Too many fighters spend years toiling away to get a shot to have a prima donna waltz in and get a title shot immediately.
He could've fought 13-20 good fighters on his way to a title shot.
Geez... at least 10. Build up the interest the normal way.

I agree with the microwaved red carpet treatment and never a fan of it. It's not a matter of if a guy can come right out and win what are essentially interchangeable trinkets now. It's the fact that you earn your spot, you do the time regardless of some amateur ranks and it goes to network exposure, purses and simply plying a trade. It's the nature of the business and the beast. Loma or anyone else fighting 5,10,20 fights before making the massive network stage and having a shot assumes all rungs in the ladder are just stiffs and cans and that's seldom the case. Well unless you're a Wilder maybe but I digress . It has always rubbed me as shortcutting a fighter based as much on a record that no longer applies nearly as much as talents. No of course I'm not saying Loma is not phenomenal and very talented, but he was afforded the exception and I don't doubt others could have done the same trinket collecting if they were as well. It's also much better for the fans to see a guy develop and face much variety, frankly be seen on a normal stage in process. Just unrealistic to 'skip' grades Imo. The BIG names will not always get the BIG names and a title doesn't need to be involved all the time. I wasn't a fan of Oscar but I think they had a great blue print for him coming out of Olympics and introduction to fan base and wide exposure. He went through riding deep undercards and multiple networks people have not heard of and opposition leveled up almost in same time span as Loma. And he also ran into a few bumps in the road vs a couple of those 'cans' and fans got to enjoy it more. Just my opinion.