One of my boyhood idols was Eric Dickerson, who looked to be on pace to be the all-time leading rusher during the beginning of his run with the Los Angeles Rams. During the latter part of his career -- which actually ended in Atlanta -- he stated, "Even if I've lost a step, I still have a step a lot of backs never had."
Well, that could be said of newly crowned IBF lightweight champion, Vasiliy Lomachenko, who was more than a few steps ahead of George Kambosos at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. In 11 rounds he dismantled the game Kambosos, who was willing, but simply over-matched.
The Dominating SKILL From Vasiliy Lomachenko Against George Kambosos! | FIGHT HIGHLIGHTS
It was about 12 months ago that Lomachenko was on the short end of a dubious decision against Devin Haney, that cost him the undisputed championship at 135. In the immediate wake of that bout, a crestfallen Lomachenko retreated to his dressing quarters inside the MGM Grand.
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You were left wondering if Lomachenko still had the stomach for this game at age 36. As Haney moved up to junior welterweight, a cadre of belts became vacant. With that, Lomachenko, who had once held three of these belts, was paired off against Kambosos. And because this would be a much bigger event in Australia in Kambosos' backyard than anywhere else, Lomachenko packed his bags.
And simply put, he dominated the action from the very beginning. Lomachenko controlled the center of the ring, and was surgical in his attack. Although his legs may no longer have the bounce they once did during his physical apex, every once in a while you’ll see him utilize angles and pivots to dizzy his foes. This version of Lomachenko is a more aggressive counter puncher. One that steps forward, sticks inside the pocket, and can chop you up with his slashing punches.
Make no mistake about it, 'Hi-Tech' is still very much state-of-the-art.
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Early on he beat Kambosos to the punch, marking up his face, then cutting him. Lomachenko softened him up, and by the late rounds it was just a question if Lomachenko would score a stoppage (something that is rare for him at 135), or settle for a decision.
That question was answered emphatically in round 11, as he sent a fading Kambosos to the floor with a left hand over the top. It was incorrectly ruled a slip. But it was just a momentary respite, as a body shot floored him a few seconds later. Then another salvo of shots downstairs had him down again. Almost simultaneously Kambosos' corner threw in the towel.
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With that, Lomachenko is once again a lightweight belt-holder. In the immediate aftermath of his emphatic victory, the likes of Gervonta 'Tank' Davis and Shakur Stevenson made it clear that they wanted a piece of him. In the past, Lomachenko was considered too difficult and dangerous. This version is now a bit more vulnerable, a bit more touchable.
Funny how these things work out, isn't it?
Davis, the current WBA titlist, has a mid-June appointment versus Frank Martin. 'Tank' is with Premier Boxing Champions, so that might be an issue in terms of making a fight. But co-promotions for pay-per-view bouts have been consummated before. A Lomachenko-Davis fight would be an anticipated match-up.
Stevenson holds the WBC belt, and his next outing will come in early July. This could be his Top Rank swan song. Meaning that they may not be so willing to make a fight with someone who is in the process of leaving them. At least with a Davis bout, you get bigger pay-per-view numbers.
Then there is the Emanuel Navarrete-Denys Berinchyk hook up that takes place this Saturday in San Diego for the vacant WBO lightweight belt. Should 'el Vacquero' come out victorious, a Navarrete-Lomachenko fight, in theory, shouldn't be that difficult to make given that both are under the Top Rank umbrella.
Top Rank
Regardless, Lomachenko is squarely in the mix in the lightweight division.
But unlike the past, he's now a marked man.
"I never ran around during my boxing career. I always take fights," Lomachenko stated. "Right now, I want to come back to my home, spend time with my family, and after I rest a little bit, we can talk about my future.”
