Last night at the legendary Madison Square Garden venue, in New York, Vasyl Lomachenko made history.
The Ukrainian fighter, in only his twelfth fight, claimed a world title in a third weight division.
Lomachenko was taking on the Venezuelan fighter Jorge Linares, a fighter British fight fans are familiar with after his two world title fights with Anthony Crolla, for the WBA lightweight title.
Linares entered the ring on a good run of form having won his last thirteen fights, but he was to be beaten by a boxer who many believe is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world, courtesy of a 10th round stoppage.
However, Lomachenko didn’t have matters all his own way with Linares sending him to the canvas in the sixth round when he was caught by a straight right that caught him flush on the nose.
But Lomachenko didn’t let the setback get to him and went on to show that his devastating hand and foot speed is too much for most opponents.
The end of the fight came in the 10th round when Linares was caught with a left to the body, although Linares beat the count the fight was stopped, something Linares found disappointing.
Talking to the media afterwards, and as reported by the BBC, Lomachenko had this to say,
“My father told me, ‘you need to go to the body’.
“I prepared for the last few rounds and I knew about this punch, but I thought I already did what I needed to do. I was wrong and he caught me.
“He’s a great fighter and he gave me one more lesson in boxing.”
Although other boxers have won world titles at three different weights nobody has done it in as few as 12 fights, the nearest being the Australian fighter, Jeff Fenech, who achieved the feat in 20 fights.
Lomachenko, here at Vital Boxing we salute you.
