Lomachenko vs. Rigondeaux Sells Out Two Months in Advance!

NEW YORK (October 10, 2017) — Top-rated pound-for-pound fighters and Olympic legends VASILY “Hi-Tech” LOMACHENKO.and GUILLERMO “El Chacal” RIGONDEAUX will go mano a mano in a collision of world champions, Saturday, December 9, at the The Theater at Madison Square Garden. This historic battle will mark the first time two-time Olympic gold medalists have fought each other professionally at the highest level. Lomachenko will be defending his World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior lightweight world title against the reigning World Boxing Association (WBA) super bantamweight champion Rigondeaux. The fight, which will headline a spectacular all-action card, will be will be televised live and exclusively at 9:00 p.m. ET / 6:00 p.m. PT on ESPN and ESPN Deportes and stream live on the ESPN App.

Promoted by Top Rank®, in association with Roc Nation Sports and Madison Square Garden, tickets to the Lomachenko vs. Rigondeaux world championship event sold out two months in advance! It is Lomachenko’s second advance sellout in his past three fights. His April 8 title defense against former world champion Jason Sosa sold out the MGM National Harbor one month in prior to the event.

“This is the Big Apple’s second-hottest ticket on the secondary market next to Bette Midler’s Broadway smash, Hello Dolly!” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum, founder and CEO of Top Rank. “The Lomachenko vs Rigondeaux title fight is a signature event in the sport of boxing. It matches the two greatest fighters in Olympic boxing facing off against each other. Never before in boxing history have two boxers, each the winner of two Olympic gold medals, faced each other in a professional boxing match.”

“ESPN is excited to showcase this world championship event. For the first time ever, two-time Olympic gold medalists, Lomachenko and Rigondeaux, will go head-to-head and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to showcase the event to boxing fans across our platforms in English and Spanish,” said Burke Magnus, executive vice president of programming & scheduling, ESPN.

“It will be a big battle for boxing fans and boxing history,” said Lomachenko. “This battle will open our maximum potential. It will be the best New Years present for boxing fanatics. Trust me on this one!”

“I am excited about Vasiliy stepping back in the ring before the year is over. It is a great fight for all boxing lovers and the fans from around the world who asked for it,” said Egis Klimas, Lomachenko’s manager. “It is a historic bout for boxing where for the first time, two boxers, two world champions, each holding two Olympic Gold medals, will meet in the professional ring. I am looking forward to seeing it.”

“I’m thrilled to be part of this historic fight on ESPN because I’ve had my eye on fighting Vasyl Lomachenko for a long time,” said Rigondeaux. “I’m thankful that Roc Nation Sports and Top Rank made this fight happen and I can’t wait to make a statement on December 9 in New York City. Weight classes don’t win fights – fighters do – and I look forward to delivering the best performance of my career, beating a fellow legendary Olympian in Lomachenko and solidifying my place as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters of this era.”

“This fight against Vasyl Lomachenko is the marquee challenge that Guillermo has been coveting and we’re grateful for Roc Nation Sports’ hard work in making this a reality,” said Alex Bornote, Rigondeaux’s manager. “Throughout Guillermo’s career, he has never backed down from any fighter or weight class restriction, so we’re very excited to get to work. It’s going to be a battle, but Guillermo will make Cuba, Miami and all of his fans worldwide proud when he beats Lomachenko on December 9.”

“There has never been a fight between two, two-time Olympic gold medal winners until now and Roc Nation Sports is thrilled to announce this unprecedented event with ESPN and Top Rank,” said Roc Nation President & Chief of Branding and Strategy Michael R. Yormark. “Boxing fans will have the rare opportunity to watch two of the best Olympians in boxing history fight for supremacy and there’s no doubt this fight at the Theater at Madison Square Garden will be one for the ages. Regardless of weight class, Rigondeaux is ready to deliver an unforgettable performance.”

Lomachenko (9-1, 7 KOs), of Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi, Ukraine, who has won his last six fights by stoppage, returns to the Mecca of Boxing ring for the first time since his one-punch fifth-round knockout victory of three-time WBO junior lightweight champion Roman “Rocky” Martinez on June 11, 2016 to claim Martinez’s title. This will be Lomachenko’s third defense of that title in 2017 and fourth overall. The Martinez victory not only made Lomachenko a two-division world champion, but he once again he broke a record doing it, winning world title No. 2 in a record least amount of fights — SEVEN. He followed that with his first defense of the WBO junior lightweight title, on Nov. 26, totally dominating Nicholas Walters. The previously undefeated former WBA featherweight world champion quit on his stool after the seventh round with his trainer and father Jobs Walters, telling referee Tony Weeks, ‘”No mas.” Not only was it a total domination but a boxing masterpiece painted on the canvas by Lomachenko. It concluded a year that had many media outlets declaring Lomachenko the “Fighter of the Year.” This year he stopped former WBA super featherweight world champion Jason “El Canito” Sosa in the ninth round and top-rated contender Miguel Marriaga in the seventh round, on April 8 and August 5, respectively. Lomachenko captured his first world title — the vacant WBO featherweight title — winning a scintillating majority decision over the previously unbeaten and future world champion Gary Russell Jr. on June 21, 2014. It remains the only blemish on Russell’s record. It was Lomachenko’s third professional bout, tying him with Thailand’s Saensak Muangsurin for fewest fights to win a world title. Muangsurin won a junior welterweight title in 1975, also in his third professional fight. Lomachenko successfully defend that title three times during his reign before vacating it to challenge Martinez in 2016. The greatest amateur boxer of his era and arguably of all time, Lomachenko first gained international renown by winning gold medals in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2012 London Games as a featherweight and a lightweight, respectively. He retired from the amateurs with a 396-1 record.

Rigondeaux (17-0, 11 KOs), of Miami, Florida, one of boxing’s long-time elite, has reigned as world champion for seven years. He returns to the ring with three of his last four victories coming by way of knockout. A career highlight was when he unified the WBA and WBO 122-pound titles by defeating 2012 Fighter of the Year Nonito Donaire on April 13, 2013 at a sold-out Radio City Music Hall in New York. Rigondeaux thoroughly dominated Donaire via a unanimous decision victory, ending the Filipino Flash’s 12-year, 30-bout winning streak, as well as claiming his WBO junior featherweight title. Rigondeaux had a stellar amateur career, winning Olympic gold medals in 2004 and 2000, World Amateur Championship titles in 2005 and 2001, and Pan American Games gold medals in 2005 and 2003, all at 119 pounds, before leaving Cuba to embark on a professional career which began in Miami in 2009. In only his seventh professional fight where both fighters scored knockdowns, Rigondeaux captured the WBA interim super bantamweight title, winning a tough split decision over the vastly more experienced former world champion Ricardo Cordoba in 2010. After successfully defending the interim title in 2011 with a first-round knockout of previously undefeated former European super bantamweight champion Willie Casey, Rigondeaux won the WBA world super bantamweight championship with a sixth-round knockout of previously undefeated defending champion Rico Ramos, January 20, 2012. Rigondeaux successfully defended that title twice in 2012, blasting out once-beaten Teon Kennedy in the fifth round, which included Kennedy suffering five knockdowns en route to the loss, and winning a dominant unanimous decision over once-beaten contender Roberto Marroquin. After besting Donaire in their April 2013 title unification fight, he successfully defended the unified title three times via a unanimous decision against former two-time world champion Joseph Agbeko in 2013 and with knockout victories of Sod Looknongtantoy and Hisashi Amagasa in 2014. His reign as WBA super bantamweight champion has extended through this year, with a second-round stoppage of James Dickens last year and a no-contest against Moises Flores on June 17.

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@ESPNDeportes. Use the hashtags #LomaRigo to join the conversation on Twitter.

BOXING ELITE VASYL LOMACHENKO AND GUILLERMO RIGONDEAUX TO CLASH EXCLUSIVELY LIVE ON BOXNATION

LONDON (29 September) – The battle between two-time Olympic gold medallists Vasyl Lomachenko and Guillermo Rigondeaux on December 9th at Madison Square Garden will be shown exclusively live on BoxNation.

‘The Channel of Champions’ will air the dream matchup featuring two men regarded as boxing’s greatest ever amateurs as part of the channel’s exclusive output deal with promoters Top Rank.

In the paid ranks both fighters have burst onto the scene to dominate their respective divisions and have ambitions of climbing up the pound-for-pound rankings.

36-year-old Rigondeaux is the current WBA super-bantamweight world champion and will be moving up two-weight divisions to challenge for Lomachenko’s WBO super-featherweight world title.

However, there will be more than just a title on the line as both are among boxing’s most skilled fighters, with Rigondeaux having persistently campaigned to get the fight, with the Ukrainian finally obliging as they look to give fans an early Christmas cracker.

Undefeated Rigondeaux has 17 wins on his record and is known for his slickness, defence and accurate counter-punching.

He has found it difficult to land big fights in the past but when he does has a history of causing an upset as he did when he overcame the then golden boy Nonito Donaire via a unanimous points win in 2013.

29-year-old Lomachenko though is a different threat all together, with many in the sport tipping him to dominate for years to come.

He has looked sensational since turning professional in 2013 when he defeated Jose Ramirez by knockout in the 4th round.

Lomachenko then went onto challenge seasoned professional Orlando Salido for the WBO featherweight world title in only his second fight, losing a close split decision.

He has bounced back in spectacular fashion since that and has gone onto become a two-weight world champion already, with his most recent win coming against big-punching Miguel Marriaga who didn’t answer the bell for round 8.

All attention now turns to New York City on December 9th with BoxNation being the only place for UK and Irish fans to watch how this intriguing battle plays out.

Jim McMunn, BoxNation Managing Director, said: “This is certainly one of the most interesting matchups of 2017. Both Vasyl Lomachenko and Guillermo Rigondeaux have outstanding amateurs backgrounds and now as professionals are amongst the very elite. How this fight will unfold is anyone’s guess. The skill set these two possess is unrivalled and solid arguments can be made for either man taking the win. BoxNation has enjoyed another fantastic year in 2017 and what a way to end it with these two supreme talents going at it on December 9th exclusively live on ‘The Channel of Champions’.”

Also as part of BoxNation’s Top Rank output deal the channel will show two undefeated rising stars in action when hard-hitting Jessie Magdaleno defends his WBO super-bantamweight world title against Cesar Juarez live on 11th November, with Russian knockout artist Artur Beterbiev taking on Enrico Koelling for the vacant IBF light-heavyweight title.

BoxNation is available on Sky/Freeview/Virgin/TalkTalk/EE/Apple TV/ online at watch.boxnation.com and via apps (iOS, Android, Amazon) for just £12 a month. Buy now at boxnation.com.

– ENDS –
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Lomachenko – Rigondeaux close for December 9th

A deal to pit two-time Olympic Gold Medal winners Vasyl Lomachenko and Guillermo Rigondeaux on December 9th in Madison Square Garden is close to being finalized, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

“It would be a historic milestone in my professional career,” said Lomachenko promoter Bob Arum, 85, said of the possible fight. “It’s never been done before — each of them winning two gold medals and fighting each other. That’s something special. That will be remembered in history.”

“Bob Arum is having discussions with Roc Nation Sports and Dino Duva about the fight,” Top rank’s Todd duBoef said.

“We are in good, positive, serious talks and hoping it can get done. We’re close to a deal. We don’t have any contracts done yet, and hopefully we can get a deal done,” Duva said Sunday night. “We’re in a pretty good place from all angles, and we’re hopeful we can get it done very soon. I’ve been talking to Bob. We’ve had very good talks. We’re trying to fine-tune the deal to make sure the fighters and the companies are happy. I am cautiously hopeful. It will be a great fight, a great, historic fight.”

“The weight is not an issue,” Duva said. “Rigo feels like he can go anywhere from 122 to 130 pounds. Rigo wants to and has to make a statement, and this is the fight he can make a statement in. He feels he can beat anybody. He realizes Lomachenko is a tough fight, but if this is made, it is a great fight for fans and a great fight for boxing.”

“Rigondeaux is a helluva fighter. He’s not going to be boring with Lomachenko. Lomachenko won’t let him be boring,” said Arum, who used to promote Rigondeaux.

Added Duva: “Lomachenko will make Rigo fight. It will be very interesting. It’s a cool fight.”

Rerun Season on ESPN

By Jimmy Tobin-

Saturday night at The Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, Vasyl “Hi-Tech” Lomachenko tormented Miguel “The Scorpion” Marriaga to a corner stoppage at the end of the seventh round. For the third consecutive fight, a Lomachenko opponent stayed on his stool, bereft of answers, reconciled to leaving the ring with his senses and whatever palliative might be salvaged from the better part of valor.

Lomachenko had his way with Marriaga as everyone expected, and as no other fighter has; though the point about expectations should dominate the narrative. He lost perhaps a handful of seconds over the course of the fight, scoring two knockdowns, including one at the end of the seventh that started with a Lomachenko left hand but finished courtesy of Marriaga’s stumbling escape. This is what Lomachenko does: beat opponents into a doomed retreat, one that ends with them slumped on their stools, peeking past protective handlers like baby musk oxen. There is no award for best between-round corner stoppage of the year, alas.

Thus went another showcase bout for Lomachenko, who for better and worse has turned his last half dozen or so fights into such spectacles; one-sided affairs that illuminate not the intimacy of combat so much as a fighter’s ability to resist it. The chasm between Lomachenko’s ability and that of his opponent’s is profound, which is perhaps why the commentary of those fights echo each other so. Only this showcase, televised on ESPN, was intended to present Lomachenko to a broader audience than HBO (and certainly HBO PPV) could reach. With the fight starting after midnight on the east coast, however, when you are more likely to find ab-routines and ultra-blenders showcased on cable than you are elite practitioners of niche sports, it is fair to wonder how many new eyes found Lomachenko that night. An NFL Hall of Fame broadcast that ran late and required viewers to switch from ESPN to ESPN2 and back to follow the card didn’t help. That is not Lomachenko’s fault of course, though should the ratings disappoint rest assured he will shoulder much of the blame.

So too will he be skewered for what little heat was born of the friction between him and Marriaga. Lomachenko treated Marriaga like he does all his opponents, which is to say disdainfully, though it took some time for that disdain to culminate in visuals that might leave a new viewer wondering what sharing the ring with Lomachenko might be like, and as a result of that thought experiment, what things might be preferable to such an experience. Yet it is abstractions like these that so often drive interest in a fighter.

Nor does Lomachenko’s wizardry—an entire catalogue of basics applied in spellbinding concert—easily lend itself to such abstractions. And in this sense he benefits from the commentary: a trained company eye will be able to point out for viewers the individual elements of Lomachenko’s craft. That process of identification is complete at about the time when an opponent too is finished; a measured approach begets a measured analysis. When the conclusion is not a prone fighter but one on his stool accepting mercy, however, the likelihood that talk of the fight survives to the watercooler Monday is lessened some.

And that is why you are as likely to find gifs of Lomachenko showboating against Marriaga as you are the two knockdowns he scored. In particular, there was Lomachenko’s homage to Roy Jones Jr.’s taunting of David Telesco, with Lomachenko backing himself into the corner and beckoning Marriaga to attack. Like Telesco, however, Marriaga quickly learned the penalty for accepting such an invitation and froze in the face of it. To you, the initiated, Lomachenko’s antics were probably a sign that either he could not put Marriaga away, or that he should have. And, if a fighter won’t accept what appears to be a free shot, what does that say about the quality of the fight?

In the context of a showcase bout, however, where a fighter, not a fight, is meant to dominate the discussion, the currency Lomachenko’s showboating may have should not be entirely dismissed. There are worse things for an unknown boxer to be than reminiscent of Jones. Generational talent and athleticism are bewitching at first, second, third, glance, and while you, the initiated, mark certain other similarities between Lomachenko and a great fighter who clowned no-hopers there are surely others discussing that little tattooed white guy who did “that thing Roy Jones did.”

Thankfully, for you, the initiated, that is not all Lomachenko showed against Marriaga. He looked significantly bigger than Marriaga which means Lomachenko can be expected to invade another division in confirming greatness already bestowed. His body attack, deliberate, ruthless, brings a smile, though it betrays what little regard he had for Marriaga that Lomachenko waited until the second half of the fight to employ it. Lomachenko’s response to a cut from a headbutt is also worth noting. Bleeding above his left eye, he stepped immediately to Marriaga when the action resumed.

That is a meager yield in terms of entertainment, sure, but for a fighter who in the minds of aficionados lives primarily in the future, where better opponents will make greater demands of him, these little forecasts are informative.

As for that future—it is coming, right?

High technology, low fidelity

by Bart Barry-

Saturday Ukrainian super featherweight titlist Vasyl “Hi-Tech” Lomachenko defeated Colombian featherweight Miguel Marriaga after seven rounds when Marriaga’s corner decided not to continue. Though Lomachenko felled Marriaga in round 7 it was Lomachenko’s face, not Marriaga’s, bleeding when the fight got stopped by a trainer that was merciful – the sort of mercy we’re told often is a proper substitute for suspensefulness.

By a show of hands, how many aficionados want another Soviet Bloc nonheavyweight Olympic medalist to dash through showcase matches with undersized men while his handlers claim nobody will fight him?

Nope, didn’t think so.

Me either.

What made Lomachenko so initially refreshing dissipates with each showcase match and subsequently so does the refreshment of watching his technical acumen. Back when Lomachenko was an undercard fighter for “Son of the Legend” Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. he performed in San Antonio and did not impress. Lomachenko got roughed and decisioned by Orlando Salido a year after Salido got dropped a fourtime by Mikey Garcia.

I recall two sensations ringside that night: Sympathy and relief. Lomachenko clearly prepared for a contest betwixt sportsmen more than a fight and hadn’t technology high enough to discourage Salido’s hitting him wherever Salido pleased after the Mexican missed weight whimsical audaciously the day before. That brought sympathy. The sense of relief came with a rude pop just after the decision got read and Lomachenko’s hyperbole balloon burst.

Though evidently it’s forgotten now, back then there was a burgeoning controversy about Lomachenko’s actual record, too. Editorial instructions from The Ring led my report to read:

“Lomachenko (7-1, 1 KO), whose official record on Fight Fax showed as 7-0 before Saturday, counting the six World Series of Boxing matches for which Lomachenko received payment . . .”

That clause happened prefight when all assumed Lomachenko’s tilt with Salido be a limp formality, not a lesson that was stiff, and journalism wanted to preempt loose promoter taglining on record this and historic that. Lomachenko got manhandled forthwith, and I recall thinking: Good, he’ll have to go deep and redemptive before we hear exclamation marks about him again.

So naive. Not only do veteran commentators now parrot Lomachenko’s promoter, but Lomachenko believes so deeply his run is historic he cannot believe a 130-pound athlete who speaks Golovkin English is not a sensation in the United States already and the rest of the world. Well. If he thinks boxing owes him a celebrity run at super featherweight like Manny Pacquiao’s he needs be told boxing thinks he owes us a Marquez, a Barrera and a pair of Morales.

Lomachenko gave us Gary Russell in 2014 and Nicholas Walters in 2016, both are good and neither belongs in the preceding sentence, but Lomachenko’s 2017 is not thusfar near so dazzling. Instead, with Marriaga, Lomachenko’s handlers began down the tired path Lomachenko’s fellow Olympian blazed for them: No 130-pound man in the world dares face Lomachenko, so we had to get a 126-pound man to do it!

This ain’t gonna work for a few reasons, the first being th’t that trail is already blazed, razed and worn baldly. The second concerns the 70 pounds of opponents between Lomachenko and heavyweight among which must be found a handful that do not cower at the syllables Hi Tech. The third if not final reason is Lomachenko’s promoter and its new network. Top Rank is better than Lomachenko-Marriaga; it’s the sort of jam-it-past-the-keeper garbage-goal the outfit scored often and lucratively on HBO.

It feels like ESPN knows this. Compared with Horn-Pacquiao what happened Saturday and the way it was broadcasted was inferior. Along with leaving Friday Night Fights’ crew in place like wait-and-see ESPN overwrote the twofight undercard with a reheated NFL marathon of football players making speeches – something unimprovable by metaphor.

You give us a Donaire-Narvaez main, we put your undercard on a smartphone app.

Nevertheless aficionados now are expected to play the opponents-in-common game with Lomachenko in lieu of seeing him compete, like: “Yes, Nicholas Walters and Oscar Valdez each beat Marriaga in the last two years, but they didn’t stop him, and speaking of Walters, Lomachenko beat him the way Sugar Ray Leonard beat Roberto Duran.”

This game is one more lamentable part of the fallout from the illadvised buildup to Mayweather-Pacquiao, when the hypothetical wholly supplanted the actual, and therefore one more lamentable effect Money May took on boxing. If we play this game we put ourselves in a bidding battle with our own imaginations till we see in an undertested titlist Harry Greb’s footwork and Sonny Liston’s jab. Or we can choose not to play. We can say: You look supercute in a kiwi bodystocking, yes, and you have more angles than a cubed octagon, but your career mark is 2-1 in fights anyone thought you could lose and that is the squareroot of historic.

Whatever Teddy and Max opine of Lomachenko the lad is yet to do fractionally enough in his career to make appealing the way he taunted Marriaga, who looked more than a weightclass smaller. Your promoter puts you on national TV with a little guy coming off a loss, you snatch his consciousness in three – you don’t squaredance your way to cuts and a midrounds corner stoppage.

There’s nothing invincible about Lomachenko – Salido proved that – and he can make fantastic and compelling fights against larger men. Even a 135-pound version of someone like Marriaga might’ve been interesting. But a few more showings like Saturday’s and there’s a good chance ratings are going to remand Hi-Tech himself to the high technology of ESPN’s smartphone app.

Author’s note: This column will not appear next week, as its author will be in Peru en route to being conquered by Montaña at Machu Picchu.

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter @bartbarry

Vasyl Lomachenko vs. Miguel Marriaga weights from Los Angeles

Main Event – WBO Junior Lightweight World Championship (12 rounds)
(L) VASYL “Hi-Tech” LOMACHENKO (8-1, 6 KOs), Champion, Ukraine 130 lbs.
(R) MIGUEL “The Scorpion” MARRIAGA (25-2, 21 KOs), Challenger, Colombia 129.8 lbs.

Co-Feature – NABO & NABF Lightweight Championship (12 rounds)
(L) “Sugar” RAYMUNDO BELTRAN (33-7-1, 21 KOs), Champion, Phoenix, AZ, USA 134.4 lbs.
(R) BRYAN VASQUEZ (36-2, 19 KOs, Costa Rica 136.8 lbs.
(only Beltran can win belt)

Super Lightweights (8 rounds)
(L) JONATHAN CHICAS (15-2, 7 KOs), San Francisco, CA, USA 140.2 lbs.
(R) ARNOLD BARBOZA, JR. (16-0, 6 KOs),South El Monte, California, USA 141 lbs.

WHAT: “Lomachenko vs.Marriaga”

WHEN: Saturday, August 5, 2017

WHERE: Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California, USA

PROMOTERS: Top Rank

TELEVISION: Live on Super Channel across Canada

FIRST SUPER CHANNEL TV BOUT: 9:00 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT

To see the “Lomachenko vs. Marriaga” live, as well as more exciting boxing to come, fight fans in Canada can contact their local cable provider to subscribe to Super Channel and all that it offers, including premium series, movies and much more, for as low as $9.95 per month.

INFORMATION:
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Super Channel is a national premium pay television network, consisting of four HD channels, four SD channels, and Super Channel On Demand.

Super Channel’s mission is to entertain and engage Canadian audiences by providing a unique and exclusive entertainment experience. With a core foundation of integrity and accountability, we dedicate ourselves to implementing innovative programming strategies and unparalleled team work that provides viewers with exceptional value and variety.

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Video: Episode No. 3 of CAMP LIFE: Vasyl Lomachenko

LOMACHENKO OUT TO TAKE ON THE BIGGEST NAMES BUT MUST FIRST GET PAST MARRIAGA CHALLENGE LIVE ON BOXNATION

LONDON (4 August) – Pound-for-pound star Vasyl Lomachenko insists he only wants to face the biggest names in order to cement his place in boxing history.

The reigning WBO super-featherweight world champion takes on Colombian big-hitter Miguel Marriaga this Saturday night from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, exclusively live on BoxNation.

He will be looking to impress against the experienced Marriaga, who has never been stopped in 27 fights, before eventually turning his attention to any elite fighters in the 130-pound division, as he looks to leave his mark in the sport.

“The biggest thing for me is I want to fight top, top fighters in the weight class that I am now fighting in. That is my biggest goal. Then maybe it is different weight classes,” said Lomachenko.

“I want to be in the history books of boxing – I want my name to be mentioned when people talk about the history of boxing. “Most important for me is to fight the best – where the fight means something – fans want it – people want to see it. I want to be on top of the list,” he said.

Following his unanimous points win over Adrien Broner last weekend, undefeated and three-weight world champion Mikey Garcia has been touted as a potential blockbuster opponent but the Ukrainian was left unimpressed at what he saw.

“His trainer Robert Garcia mentioned that Mikey is an A-Class fighter. I hadn’t seen anything during that bout that showed me he was an outstanding fighter.

“Yes, he won the fight. Yes, he did everything he needed to win the fight, but I haven’t seen anything outstanding and I haven’t seen him being an A-Class fighter,” said Lomachenko.

The two-time Olympic gold medalist was hoping to rematch Orlando Salido, a split decision loss in only his second fight as a professional when he challenged for the WBO featherweight title, before talks collapsed and Marriaga was chosen as an opponent.

30-year-old Marriaga has 21 knockouts in his 25 wins, with his only two defeats being on points to top fighters Oscar Valdez and Nicholas Walters.

Lomachenko is well aware of the threat he possesses and is not overlooking the man known as ‘The Scorpion’.

“I did see his bout against Oscar Valdez and what can I tell about him? He is strong and his conditioning is good. He has skills, so what everybody else thinks is going to be easy, I don’t think it is going to be easy for me,” he said.

The card also sees Raymundo Beltran back in action when he faces Bryan Vasquez in a lightweight contest.

Lomachenko v Marriaga is live on BoxNation this Saturday night from 2am. Buy now at boxnation.com.

TODAY! Arum to Barnstorm ESPN with NINE Network Appearances

LOS ANGELES (August 4, 2017) — Hall of Fame promoter BOB ARUM will be getting an early start on his promotional roadwork, “barnstorming” ESPN TODAY, talking up the return of two-division world champion and pound for pound superstar VASYL “Hi-Tech” LOMACHENKO to a Los Angeles ring for the first time in over three years. Lomachenko headlines an all-action card, Tomorrow! Saturday, August 5, at Microsoft Theater, located at LA Live! Lomachenko will be defending his World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior lightweight world title against two-time world title challenger and Top-10 contender MIGUEL “Escorpión” MARRIAGA. The co-main event will feature three-time world title challenger and top-rated lightweight contender RAY “Sugar” BELTRAN defending his NABF and NABO lightweight titles against former two-time interim World Boxing Association (WBA) super featherweight world champion and the current WBA No. 1 contender BRYAN VASQUEZ. The four gladiators boast a combined professional record of 102-12-1 (67 KOs).

Both title fights will be televised live and exclusively at 10 p.m. EDT on ESPN and ESPN Deportes and stream live on the ESPN app.

“I may get myself a newspaper route if I keep up these hours,” said Arum, 85. The promotional dynamo reports to ESPN’s Los Angeles studios at 6 a.m. PT for the first of nine appearances on various television and radio programs, including three different SportsCenter interviews.

Below, please find the list of Arum’s live appearances on ESPN today:
· 9:30 a.m. ET Mike and Mike
· 10:15 a.m. ET Jalen & Jacoby
· 10:40 a.m. ET First Take
· 12:20 p.m. ET SportsCenter Coast 2 Coast
· 2:30 p.m. ET Stephen A. Smith’s radio show
· 4:00 p.m. ET SportsNation

In addition to the live appearances above, Arum will also be featured in late afternoon/early evening interviews on SportsCenter SC6, ESPN Deportes’ Nacíon and SportsCenter with Neil Everett.

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The Lomachenko – Marriaga undercard will be live streamed on the ESPN app and feature the professional debut of 2016 U.S. Olympian and Los Angeles native MIKAELA MAYER in her first hometown fight since 2008. She will fight in a four-round lightweight bout. The Mayer bout and all undercard bouts will be streamed live exclusively on the ESPN app and via www.toprank.tv.

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Promoted by Top Rank®, remaining tickets to the Lomachenko vs. Marriaga / Beltran vs. Vasquez championship event are priced at $130, $105, $80, $55 and $30. They may be purchased at microsofttheater.com, AXS.com, by phone at 888-929-7849 or at the STAPLES Center Box Office.

Vasyl Lomachenko vs. Miguel Marriaga Final press conference in Los Angeles

EDMONTON, Alberta, Canada (August 3, 2017) – The final press conference was held today in Los Angeles for this Saturday night’s Lomachenko vs, Marriagacard, airing exclusively in Canada on Super Channel, starting at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT, live from Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

Vasyl Lomachenko

Canadian boxing fans will have the unique opportunity to watch superstar Vasyl “Hi-Tech” Lomachenko (8-1, 6 KOs), arguably the No. 1 pound-for-pound professional boxer in the world today, defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) Association Junior Lightweight World Championship against WBO No. 10-ranked contender Miguel “The Scorpian” Marriaga (25-2, 21 KOs) in the 12-round main event.

Three exciting fights on the stacked “Lomachenko vs, Marriaga” card, promoted by Top Rank, will air exclusively in Canada on Super Channel.

Miguel “The Scorpian” Marriaga with the Top Rank Knockouts after a recent media workout session
(Photo by Mickey Williams / Top Rank)

Also airing on Super Channel is the NABO & NABF lightweight title fight between champion “Sugar” Raymundo Beltran(33-7-1, 21 KOs) versus former two-time Interim World Boxing Association (WBA) Super Featherweight World Champion Bryan Vasquez (36-2, 19 KOs) in the 12-round co-featured event.

2012 Olympic silver medalist Esquiva Falcao (17-0, 12 KOs) faces Ivan “Terrible” Montero (20-2, 8 KOs) in the eight-round television opener on Super Channel,

Super Channel recently aired major boxing events live like Brook vs. Spence Jr., Pacquiao-Horn, and Eubank, Jr. vs. Abraham.

INFORMATION:
www.superchannel.ca
Twitter: @SuperChannel
Instagram: @SuperChannelTV
Facebook: /SuperChannel

Super Channel is a national premium pay television network, consisting of four HD channels, four SD channels, and Super Channel On Demand.

Super Channel is owned by Allarco Entertainment 2008 Inc., an Edmonton-based media company.

Video: #LomachenkoMarriaga | Press Conference

Video: Camp Life: Vasyl Lomachenko | Episode 2

Video: Camp Life: Vasyl Lomachenko | Episode 1

Super Channel to air Vasyl Lomachenko vs. Miguel Marriaga This Saturday night in Canada

EDMONTON, Alberta, Canada (July 31, 2017) – Super Channel subscribers in Canada will have the opportunity to watch superstar Vasyl Lomachenko, arguably the No. 1 pound-for-pound professional boxer in the world today, as the Ukrainian defends his World Boxing Organization (WBO) Association Junior Lightweight World Championship for the second time, this Saturday night (August 5), starting at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT, live from Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

The 29-year-old Lomachenko (8-1, 6 KOs) will be challenged by two-time world title challenger, dangerous Colombian knockout artist Miguel “The Scorpian” Marriaga (25-2, 21 KOs), the WBO No. 10-ranked contender, in the 12-round main event.

Three exciting fights on the stacked “Lomachenko vs, Marriaga” card, promoted by Top Rank, will air exclusively in Canada on Super Channel.

Super Channel has recently aired major boxing events live like Brook vs. Spence Jr., Pacquiao-Horn, and Eubank, Jr. vs. Abraham.

“we are all ecstatic to be bringing this exciting bout featuring one of the world’s best boxers, Vasyl Lomachenko, to our viewers and to be presenting another top-notch card from legendary promoter, Top Rank’s Bob Arum, to Canadian fight fans,” said Troy Wassill. Director of Programming, Domestic Distributors & Sports for Super Channel.

Lomachenko is regarded by many as the greatest amateur boxer of his time and arguably all-time having captured two Olympic gold medals (2008 & 2012) and three World Championships, reportedly losing only once in 396 amateur bouts.

Eight (7-1) of his nine fights during his three-year pro career have been in world title fights, including world title winning performances in two different weight classes, WBO featherweight and junior lightweight. Lomachenko has defeated world champions Gary Russell, Jr., Roman Martinez and Nicholas Walters.

Marriaga, who is moving up to junior lightweight to challenge Lomachenko, is a battled-tested challenger with good power and a strong amateur background.

In the 12-round co-feature, NABO & NABF lightweight champion “Sugar” Raymundo Beltran (33-7-1, 21 KOs) defends his titles against former two-time Interim World Boxing Association (WBA) Super Featherweight World Champion Bryan Vasquez (36-2, 19 KOs).

Mexico-native Beltran, fighting out of Phoenix (AZ), is a two-time world title challenger who is knocking on the door for another world title shot. Beltran is ranked No. 2 in the world by the WBO, World Boxing Council (WBC) and International Boxing Federation (IBF), as well as No. 6 by the WBA.

Vasquez, fighting out of Costa Rico, is rated the No. 1 lightweight contender in the world by the WBA

In the eight-round Super Channel opener, 2012 Olympic silver medalist Esquiva Falcao (17-0, 12 KOs), the undefeated Brazilian middleweight, steps up in terms of class opposition to face Ivan “Terrible” Montero (20-2, 8 KOs), of Mexico.

INFORMATION:
www.superchannel.ca
Twitter: @SuperChannel
Instagram: @SuperChannelTV
Facebook: /SuperChannel
Super Channel is a national premium pay television network, consisting of four HD channels, four SD channels, and Super Channel On Demand.

Super Channel is owned by Allarco Entertainment 2008 Inc., an Edmonton-based media company.

Full Week of Boxing July 31 to August 5 on ESPN Platforms Leading up to Title Fight

On Saturday, August 5, at 10 p.m. ET the next installment of Top Rank Boxing on ESPN will feature two-division world champion Vasyl Lomachenko defending his World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior lightweight world title against two-time world title challenger and Top-10 contender Miguel Marriaga. The Vasyl “Hi-Tech” Lomachenko vs. Miguel “Escorpión” Marriaga bout will air live and exclusively on ESPN and ESPN Deportes, and stream live on the ESPN app, from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. The fight will be called ringside by ESPN commentators Joe Tessitore and Teddy Atlas, with Bernardo Osuna reporting. They will be joined by guest analyst Timothy Bradley, Jr., a former two-division world champion recently trained by Teddy Atlas. ESPN Deportes will pair Pablo Viruega and Delvin Rodriguez to call the main event in Spanish, with studio commentary from Claudia Trejos and Leopoldo Gonzalez.

On Friday, August 4, at 9 p.m. ET Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN continues with a 10-round welterweight bout featuring Mauricio “El Maestro” Herrera vs. Jesus “Renuente” Soto Karass – live and exclusively on ESPN and ESPN Deportes, and stream live on the ESPN app, from the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California. Calling the action ringside for ESPN will be Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins and blow-by-blow commentator Bernardo Osuna. ESPN Deportes will pair Pablo Viruega and Delvin Rodriguez to call the main event in Spanish, with studio commentary from Claudia Trejos and Leopoldo Gonzalez.

ESPN will also air 19 classic fights leading up to the big weekend of live boxing. The classic fights begin with De La Hoya vs. Chavez I, Pacquiao vs. Margarito and Arguello vs. Pryor I Monday, July 31 at 11 p.m. ET on ESPN2 and streaming on the ESPN app.
On August 4, during the 6 p.m. ET editions, both SportsCenter on ESPN and Golpe a Golpe on ESPN Deportes will also air Lomachenko’s weigh-in live.
ESPN Fight Week Schedule:
Date
Time (ET)
Event
Fight Date
Platforms
Monday, July 31
11 p.m.
De La Hoya vs. Chavez I
6/7/1996
ESPN2, ESPN app

11:30 p.m.
Pacquiao vs. Margarito
11/13/2010
ESPN2, ESPN app

1 a.m.
Arguello vs. Pryor I
11/12/1982
ESPN2, ESPN app
Tuesday, Aug. 1
8 p.m.
Tyson vs. Holmes
2/22/1988
ESPN2, ESPN app

8:20 p.m.
Tyson vs. Spinks
6/27/1988
ESPN2, ESPN app

8:30 p.m.
Pacquiao vs. Marquez IV
12/8/2012
ESPN2, ESPN app

9:30 p.m.
Mayweather vs. G. Hernandez
10/3/1998
ESPN2, ESPN app

10:15 p.m.
Pacquiao vs. Morales II
1/21/2006
ESPN2, ESPN app

11 p.m.
Morales vs. Barrera I
2/19/2000
ESPN2, ESPN app
Wednesday, Aug. 2
8 p.m.
Mayweather vs. Corrales
1/20/2001
ESPN2, ESPN app

9 p.m.
Mayweather vs. Gatti
6/25/2005
ESPN2, ESPN app

9:30 p.m.
Mayweather vs. Judah
4/8/2006
ESPN2, ESPN app

10:30 p.m.
Tyson vs. Berbick
11/22/1986
ESPN2, ESPN app

10:50 p.m.
Tyson vs. Bruno I
2/25/1989
ESPN2, ESPN app

11:15 p.m.
Tyson vs. Douglas
2/11/1990
ESPN2, ESPN app
Thursday, Aug. 3
9 p.m.
De La Hoya vs. Hopkins
9/18/2004
ESPN, ESPN app

9 p.m.
Lomachenko vs. Roman Martinez
6/11/2016
ESPN Deportes, ESPN app

10 p.m.
Pacquiao vs. De La Hoya
12/6/2008
ESPN, ESPN app

10 p.m.
Lomachenko vs. Salido
3/1/2014
ESPN Deportes, ESPN app
Friday, Aug. 4
7:30 p.m.
Crawford vs. Henry Lundy
2/27/2016
ESPN2, ESPN app

8:15 p.m.
Lomachenko vs. Roman Martinez
6/11/2016
ESPN2, ESPN app

9 p.m.
LIVE Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN:
Mauricio Herrera vs. Jesus Soto Karass
–
ESPN, ESPN Deportes, ESPN app
Saturday, Aug. 5
10 p.m.
LIVE Top Rank Boxing on ESPN:
Vasyl Lomachenko vs. Miguel Marriaga
–
ESPN, ESPN Deportes, ESPN app

VASYL LOMACHENKO TRAINING CAMP QUOTES

OXNARD, CALIF. (July 25, 2017) — Next week, two-division world champion and pound for pound superstar VASYL “Hi-Tech” LOMACHENKO (8-1, 6 KOs), of Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi, Ukraine, who has won his last five fights by knockout, returns to a Los Angeles ring for the first time in over three years when he headlines an all-action card, Saturday, August 5, at Microsoft Theater, located at LA Live! Lomachenko will be defending his World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior lightweight world title against two-time world title challenger and Top-10 contender MIGUEL “Escorpión” MARRIAGA (25-2, 21 KOs), from Arjona, Colombia. He won 15 of his previous 20 fights by way of knockout.

Top Rank® stopped by Lomachenko’s Oxnard-based training camp today. Here are a few quotes and photos from his workout.

PHOTO CREDIT: MIKEY WILLIAMS / TOP RANK
https://app.box.com/s/4b20sag5bgbkv8vg1qp5wlmn3k85ohl4

LOMACHENKO QUOTES

“It’s so exciting to be fighting on ESPN. So many more people are going to learn a lot about me and what I am capable of doing in the ring on Saturday night.

“When I face Marriaga on Saturday, I will need to find the right keys to unlock his defensive door and do what I do best in the ring.

“Marriaga is a strong fighter. He has heart. I have prepared hard to face him

“I need to look again at Marriaga’s full fight video against Oscar Valdez to get the best battle plan in my mind to fight him.

“People ask me about Orlando Salido. My answer is that I fight for Top Rank and will take on who they schedule for me. But I would like to welcome Salido to Lomachenko University in the ring some day..

“While growing up, my dream and my goal was to win an Olympic gold medal. I did that and both times they were the proudest moments in my amateur career.

“Now my professional goal is to be recognized as pound for pound, the world’s best fighter. To do this I must defeat Marriaga and then to be recognized as the pound for pound best I must fight champions and unify world titles.

“I like living and training in Oxnard. It reminds me of the small town I grew up in Ukraine”

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The co-main event will feature three-time world title challenger and top-rated lightweight contender RAY “Sugar” BELTRAN (33-7-1, 21 KOs), a native of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico who resides in Phoenix, AZ., defending his NABF and NABO lightweight titles against former two-time interim World Boxing Association (WBA) super featherweight world champion and current No. 1 contender BRYAN VASQUEZ (36-2, 19 KOs), from San Jose, Costa Rica.

The four gladiators boast a combined professional record of 102-12-1 (67 KOs).
.
Both title fights will be televised live and exclusively at 10 p.m. EDT on ESPN and ESPN Deportes and stream live on the ESPN app.

Promoted by Top Rank, remaining tickets to the Lomachenko vs. Marriaga / Beltran vs. Vasquez championship event are priced at $130, $105, $80, $55 and $30. They may be purchased at microsofttheater.com, AXS.com, by phone at 888-929-7849 or at the STAPLES Center Box Office.

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US. OLYMPIAN MIKAELA MAYER SIGNS WITH TOP RANK

LOS ANGELES (July 14, 2017) — Top Rank® announced today that it signed 2016 U.S. Olympian MIKAELA MAYER to an exclusive promotional agreement. The Los Angeles native’s professional debut will double as her homecoming inasmuch as it will take place at Microsoft Theater at LA Live under the VASYL “Hi-Tech” LOMACHENKO – MIGUEL “Escorpión” MARRIAGA World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior lightweight world championship fight, Saturday, August 5. Mayer’s pro debut will be a four-round junior middleweight bout.

Managed by George Ruiz, CEO of Intelligent Arts & Artists, and trained by Al Mitchell and Coach Kay Karoma, the 5’9″ Mayer boasts a sterling amateur resume which includes being a 2016 champion in the USA Boxing Elite Nationals, the America Olympic Qualifiers and the U.S. Olympic Team Trials. At the 2016 Summer Games in Rio De Janeiro, Mayer advanced to the women’s lightweight quarterfinal, one bout short of the medal round, before losing an extremely close majority decision to Anastasiia Beliakova of Russia. Two judges scored it 39-37 for the Russian while a third judge ruled it a draw.

“Mikaela’s talent and personality translates to unique marketability. Not only are we confident she will succeed as a professional fighter but she will elevate the women’s boxing category,” said Todd duBoef, president of Top Rank. “Fighting at an elite level as an amateur has prepared her for transitioning to the professional ranks.”

“As much as I loved competing for Team USA, I am incredibly excited for this next step in my career. When I sat down with Top Rank, they were the first promotion company that truly made me feel like they shared my vision for how I could help grow the sport,” said Mayer. “Having the best promoter in the world supporting and believing in not just me, but in women’s boxing, is the fulfillment of a dream that began when I first put on boxing gloves. I am thrilled about our new partnership and the possibilities of what we can accomplish on this journey together. I can’t wait for my debut and look forward to the challenges of this transition. I’ve been very focused on the differences between fighting pro vs. amateur and I’m eager to get in there, test myself on this new stage and showcase my skills. I haven’t fought much in the United States in the last three years let alone in my hometown. In fact, I don’t think I have competed in LA since my first handful of fights back in 08′. It’s going to feel great to be back in my hometown where family and friends can watch me fight in person.”

“I had never trained a female boxer before I decided to train Mikaela, and it was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my coaching career,” said Mitchell. “Mikaela came to me pretty green, and I immediately saw her determination, dedication, and attitude that doesn’t come along all that often in a young person. She had a goal in mind, a sense for how to manage her time, and dedicated herself to the plans she made to achieve those goals. She was always working hard, and listening to how she could make herself a better athlete, and a champion boxer. I truly believe that Mikaela is ready to become a professional boxer; she is greatly respected in her sport, not only in the U.S, but by boxers, coaches, fans, and the press as well. I believe that she can help grow the sport of women’s* boxing tremendously, because of her popularity in the sport, and her superior talent.”

Mikaela walked in to my office just after the 2012 Olympic Trials. I knew she was a star within five minutes of meeting her,” said Ruiz. “She promised me then she’d get to the top of her sport. We’ve worked closely all throughout her brilliant amateur career and the Rio Olympics, so when Mikaela decided to turn pro, I knew signing with Top Rank was the best way to showcase her skills and elevate the sport of women’s boxing. She’s a dazzling technical boxer, works harder than anyone I know, and is going to be a world champion.”

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The Lomachenko – Marriaga world title fight and the co-main event featuring three-time world title challenger and top-rated lightweight contender RAY “Sugar” BELTRAN defending his NABF and NABO lightweight titles against former two-time interim World Boxing Association (WBA) super featherweight world champion BRYAN VASQUEZ, will be televised live exclusively at 10 p.m. EDT on ESPN and ESPN Deportes and stream live on the ESPN app.

Remaining tickets to the Lomachenko vs. Marriaga / Beltran vs. Vasquez championship event are priced at $130, $105, $80, $55 and $30. They may be purchased at microsofttheater.com, AXS.com, by phone at 888-929-7849 or at the STAPLES Center Box Office.

Video: Lomachenko vs. Marriaga Official Fight Announcement

TOMORROW! Tix to Lomachenko – Marriaga Title Fight Go On Sale – 1 P.M. ET

LOS ANGELES (July 12, 2017) — Los Angeles boxing fans, prepare to enter The Matrix! Two-division world champion and pound for pound superstar VASYL “Hi-Tech” LOMACHENKO returns to a Los Angeles ring for the first time in over three years when he headlines an all-action card, Saturday, August 5, at Microsoft Theater, located at LA Live! Lomachenko will be defending his World Boxing Organization (WBO) junior lightweight world title against two-time world title challenger and Top-10 contender MIGUEL “Escorpión” MARRIAGA. The co-main event will feature three-time world title challenger and top-rated lightweight contender RAY “Sugar” BELTRAN defending his NABF and NABO lightweight titles against former two-time interim World Boxing Association (WBA) super featherweight world champion BRYAN VASQUEZ. The four gladiators boast a combined professional record of 102-12-1 (67 KOs).

Both title fights will be televised live and exclusively at 10 p.m. EDT on ESPN and ESPN Deportes and stream live on the ESPN app.

Tickets to the Lomachenko vs. Marriaga / Beltran vs. Vasquez championship event will go on sale Tomorrow! Thursday, July 13, at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT. Priced at $130, $105, $80, $55 and $30, tickets may be purchased at microsofttheater.com, AXS.com, by phone at 888-929-7849 or at the STAPLES Center Box Office.

“Vasyl Lomachenko is the best fighter in boxing and Ray Beltran is the best story in boxing,” said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum. “Both are in tough against Miguel Marriaga and Bryan Vasquez, who also have lots of world championship fight experience It’s going to be an exciting show for the fans at Microsoft Theater or watching on ESPN.”

“I can’t wait to get back in the ring on August 5th,” said Lomachenko. “I respect all of my opponents who are willing to step in ring with me and I will be at my best to show the boxing fans what boxing is all about it.”

“Thanks to our promoter Top Rank for bringing Vasily back to the ring so quickly after his great performance in April,” said Egis Klimas, Lomachenko’s manager. “There is not much to say when Lomachenko steps into the ring. The way Vasily boxes is not unlike a symphony orchestra where all instruments are played beautifully. He is the best and most entertaining boxer.. I am looking forward to seeing him fight again on August 5th”

“I have respect but no fear of Lomachenko and I cannot wait to fight for his world title,” said Marriaga. “Fighting Lomachenko on ESPN opens the door for my present and for my future . I’m training very hard in Mexico City and I’ll be ready on August 5. I’m going to give him a real fight.”

“I’m excited to fight on ESPN because so many people will be able to see me. It reminds me of the old days when the best fights were on ESPN so it’s cool that Top Rank and ESPN are doing these shows together,” said Beltran. “As for my fight I always respect my opponent, but I’ve knocked out the past five and they had my respect as well. I expect Vasquez to come to fight, but I have a bigger goal to be a world champion, so August 5th is part of that journey and I will not let Vasquez or anyone get in the way of my goal. I’m sure Vasquez and I will make it a great fight for the fans.”

“Ray is as focused as ever on the big prize, a world title shot against Terry Flanagan, Mikey Garcia or Jorge Linares,” said Steve Feder, Beltran’s manager. “But Vasquez is a tough competitor and so we aren’t thinking past this fight just yet. We know it could go the distance, winning is all that matters. Ray’s on a mission, he’s ranked No. 2 breathing down the necks of the champions and was just named NABF Fighter of the Year. He’s feeling it. This is his turf and his ring and he’s determined to protect it. We are filing for the green card as we speak. This is Ray’s year in and out of the ring. Fighting on ESPN is a chance for Ray to get the exposure he’s been waiting for.”

“I think Ray Beltran is a great fighter, motivated and skilled. In one word to describe him in the ring, he’s an animal,” said Vasquez. This fight means a lot for me, fighting for my two idols Chiquita Gonzalez and Roy Jones Jr. who promotes me. Beltran is going to be the toughest fighter I have ever faced. The game plan to is be smarter than him. Speed? How can you use speed against a fighter who sparred with Pacquiao his entire career? We are going to have to be smarter since I am moving up to Beltran’s weight class but I am confident I am the better fighter — faster, smarter, more skilled.”

“Ray Beltran is a very powerful fighter and I really do believe if Bryan outboxes him then Bryan will be victorious,” said Roy Jones Jr., Vasquez’s promoter and a former four-division world champion. “Bryan needs to be smarter than Beltran and not let Beltran dictate how the fight goes. Boxing needs two warriors and Bryan and Beltran are exactly what people have been waiting for. Once victorious, this will re-introduce Bryan Vasquez to the champion circle.”

Lomachenko (8-1, 6 KOs), of Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi, Ukraine, who has won his last five fights by knockout, returns to a Los Angeles ring for the first time in over three years, making his second world title defense of 2017. In Lomachenko’s previous Los Angeles area fight, which took place on June 21, 2014, at StubHub Center, Lomachenko captured his first world title — the vacant WBO featherweight title — winning a scintillating majority decision over the previously unbeaten and future world champion Gary Russell Jr. It remains the only blemish on Russell’s record. It was Lomachenko’s third professional bout, tying him with Thailand’s Saensak Muangsurin for fewest fights to win a world title. Muangsurin won a junior welterweight title in 1975, also in his third professional fight. Lomachenko successfully defend that title three times during his reign before vacating it to challenge three-time WBO junior lightweight champion Roman “Rocky” Martinez on June 11, 2016. The Martinez victory, via a cringe-worthy one-punch knockout in the fifth round, not only made Lomachenko a two-division world champion, but he once again he broke a record doing it, winning world title No. 2 in a record least amount of fights — SEVEN. He followed that with his first defense of the WBO junior lightweight title, on Nov. 26, totally dominating Nicholas Walters. The previously undefeated former WBA featherweight world champion quit on his stool after the seventh round with his trainer and father Jobs Walters, telling referee Tony Weeks, ‘”No mas.” Not only was it a total domination but a boxing masterpiece painted on the canvas by Lomachenko. It concluded a year that had many media outlets declaring Lomachenko the “Fighter of the Year.” In his last fight, on April 8, he stopped former WBA super featherweight world champion Jason “El Canito” Sosa in the ninth round. It was the second most viewed fight on premium cable for 2017. The greatest amateur boxer of his era and arguably of all time, Lomachenko first gained international renown by winning gold medals in the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2012 London Games as a featherweight and a lightweight, respectively. He retired from the amateurs with a 396-1 record.

Marriaga (25-2, 21 KOs), from Arjona, Colombia, enters this fight having won 15 of his previous 20 fights by way of knockout. The only blemishes on his record, 12-round unanimous decision world title losses to WBO featherweight champion Óscar Valdez, in a ferocious battle on April 22, and former WBA featherweight world champion Nicholas “Axe Man” Walters in 2015. Between those two world championship battles, Marriaga fashioned a five-bout winning streak, which included NABO featherweight title knockout victories against Guy Robb and Eduardo Montoya in 2016 to become the WBO’s No. 1 contender and mandatory challenger to Valdez. In his challenge of world champion Valdez, Marriaga went toe-to-toe throughout the fight in a ring war fight fans are still talking about nearly three months later.

Beltran (33-7-1, 21 KOs), a native of Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico who resides in Phoenix, AZ., was recently named the NABF Fighter of the Year. He enters this fight having won his last four fights by knockout. A two-time lightweight world title challenger and a former sparring partner of former eight-division world champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, Beltran still trains at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, Calif. with Pepe Reilly. In his last fight, in the co-main event to the Terence Crawford – Félix Díaz world title fight on May 20, Beltran scored a sensational one-punch second-round knockout of Top-10 contender Jonathan Maicelo in a world lightweight title elimination bout that also had him retaining his NABF and NABO lightweight titles as well as claiming the vacant WBA International championship belt. It was also a fight that captured the nation’s attention because not only was Beltran fighting for another world title shot but also a new life for himself and his family. Winning his fight against Maicelo may prove to be the deciding factor in getting a green card via the “extraordinary athlete” status needed to qualify for the EB-1 green card typically available to certain sportspeople, entertainers, and masters of the arts and sciences. Recently, he has been in the U.S. under an athletic visa, but risked deportation when that document expired. It was story told by USA Today and followed by NBC News before the fight on “Today” and after on the “NBC Nightly News.” Beltran is currently world-rated No. 2 by the WBO, the World Boxing Council (WBC).and the International Boxing Federation (IBF).

Vasquez (36-2, 19 KOs), from San Jose, Costa Rica, is a former two-time WBA interim super featherweight world champion. His professional resume features victories over Santos Benavides, Jorge Lacierva, René González, Jose Felix, Jr. and Sergio Thompson. He won the WBA interim super featherweight title in 2011, winning a dominant unanimous decision over Benavides. He successfully defended the title the following year via a ninth-round TKO over Lacierva. Later that same year, he unsuccessfully challenged defending WBA super featherweight world champion Takashi Uchiyama losing by an eighth-round TKO. Vasquez recaptured the WBA interim super featherweight title the following year winning a five-round technical decision over González. Vasquez successfully defended the title once in 2014, during his one-year reign, scoring a 12-round unanimous decision over then-undefeated contender Felix. In 2015 he once again challenged for a world title, losing a unanimous decision to undefeated Javier Fortuna. for the vacant WBA super featherweight title. He successfully made his debut as a lightweight last summer, scoring a second-round TKO of Thompson. He is currently world-rated No. 1 by the WBA.

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Microsoft Theater hosts over 120 music, family, dance and comedy acts, award shows, televised productions, conventions and product launches with over 500,000 guests passing through the doors annually. The 7,100-seat theater offers guests mid-sized intimacy, with no seat further from the stage than 220 feet. Microsoft Theater offers 12,000 square feet of VIP & hospitality areas, 10 dressing rooms and state of the art technology making it is a favorite indoor venue for performers and fans alike. Since opening in October 2007 with six sold out shows featuring the Eagles and Dixie Chicks, Microsoft Theater has hosted concerts starring the most popular artists including Alan Jackson, Katy Perry, Charlie Wilson, Juan Gabriel, Aretha Franklin, Ed Sheeran, John Fogerty, Gabriel Iglesias, Kanye West, Marc Anthony, Sesame Street Live, John Legend, The Avett Brothers, Neil Young, Steely Dan, Trey Songz, Kelly Clarkson, Rush, Yanni, Nicki Minaj, Juanes, Cat Stevens, The American Idol Finale shows, Michael Jackson’s This is It, Straight Outta Compton, The Hunger Games and Twilight Movie Premieres and many more. Microsoft Theater is home to the American Music Awards, ESPYs, Primetime Emmy Awards, BET Awards, People’s Choice Awards, Radio Disney Music Awards, 2010, 2011 & 2015 MTV Video Music Awards, 2014 & 2015 MTV Movie Awards and the 2013 Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame.

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POUND-FOR-POUND STAR VASYL LOMACHENKO RETURNS TO BOXNATION ON AUGUST 5TH WHEN HE FACES KNOCKOUT KING MIGUEL MARRIAGA

LONDON (5 July) – Pound-for-pound contender Vasyl Lomachenko will defend his WBO super-featherweight world title exclusively live on BoxNation against Miguel Marriaga on August 5th.

The two-division world champion and one of boxing’s hottest talents will take on top-10 rated Marriaga from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

Following his ninth-round stoppage of former WBA super-featherweight world champion Jason Sosa in April, Lomachenko will be looking to impress once again against the big-punching Marriaga.

The Colombian has knocked out 21 opponents in his 25 wins, with his only two defeats coming in world title challenges against the highly-touted Oscar Valdez and the tough Nicholas Walters.

Taking on Ukraine’s Lomachenko he faces a two-time Olympic gold medalist, with a decorated amateur background, who has transformed that pedigree into the elite ranks as a professional.

Known for his exceptional footwork, timing and speed, the 29-year-old won his first world title in just three fights before adding his current WBO strap to the list in 2016 when he knocked out Puerto Rican ace Roman Martinez in five rounds.

That win was quickly followed by one of his most impressive to date when he totally dominated the much-feared and previously undefeated ‘Axe Man’ Walters, forcing him to quit on his stool after the seventh round.

30-year-old Marriaga will be looking to derail Lomachenko’s future plans by upsetting him next month, in a bout that can only be seen live on ‘The Channel of Champions’ as part of BoxNation’s exclusive output deal with promoters Top Rank.

“We are delighted to once again showcase the extraordinary talent that is Vasyl Lomachenko,” said Jim McMunn, BoxNation Managing Director. “He is without doubt one of the best pound-for-pound talents in the world and we are pleased to be able to broadcast his fight with Miguel Marriaga exclusively live in the UK and Ireland on BoxNation. There are very few fighters in the world with his skill set but in Marriaga he takes on a knockout artist who will not back down. It’s an intriguing world title matchup and one BoxNation subscribers can look forward to watching exclusively live next month.”

BoxNation is available on Sky/Freeview/Virgin/TalkTalk/EE/Apple TV/ online at watch.boxnation.com and via apps (iOS, Android, Amazon) for just £12 a month. Buy now at boxnation.com.

Lomanchenko – Marriaga; Ceawford – Indongo to land on ESPN in August

Two more high profile championship bouts will be televised on ESPN in August, according to Dan Rafael of espn.com.

WBO Super Featherweight champion Vasyl Lomachenko will take on Miguel Marriaga on August 5th in Los Angeles, while Terence Crawford and Julius Indongo will meet for all four major belts in the 140-lb division on August 19th in Lincoln, Nebraska.

“ESPN is thrilled to bring these two new title fights to fans,” Burke Magnus, ESPN’s executive vice president of programming and scheduling, said Thursday. “There is a lot of buzz around boxing right now, and much of it centers around these two great champions — Lomachenko and Crawford. We are excited and proud to showcase these two great events on all of our platforms.”

Top Rank president Todd duBoef, who worked closely with Magnus to finalize the deal, was also excited about the exposure his two champions will get on ESPN.

“Pound for pound, no one can match the talent of Vasyl Lomachenko and Terence Crawford,” duBoef said. “They drew the best ratings on premium cable this year, and now everyone will be able to see them when they defend their world titles in all-action fights in August, live on ESPN.”

Lomachenko had hoped to face former two-division titleholder Orlando Salido in a rematch of Salido’s split-decision win in 2014 in Lomachenko’s second pro fight. However, after much discussion, Salido ultimately rejected an offer of $720,000, and Top Rank moved on to Marriaga for Lomachenko’s third title defense.

“When the financial requests were met suddenly there were other issues like a hand problem, which led to a weight problem, which led to Marriaga. Funny how that happens,” Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti said. “So we moved on to trying to secure the best possible opponent at the time, and Miguel Marriaga stepped up to the plate as did [previous Lomachenko opponents] Jason Sosa and Rocky Martinez in the past.”

“If you put Marriaga, Salido and Sosa in a round-robin, I think they’re all excellent fights, and who knows who would win,” Moretti said. “Obviously, Lomachenko is at a different level, but in the ring we know what Marriaga brings — heart, determination, a big right hand, size and no intimidation.”

“Indongo went to Russia to knock out Troyanovsky, and then he went to Scotland and beat Burns. Does he actually have the audacity to come to Nebraska and beat Crawford for the other two titles? We’ll find out Aug. 19.”

“The willingness and cooperation from all four organizations certainly reflects their concern and desire to do what’s right for the sport,” Moretti said.

Hi-Tech’s Competition and Critics Need an Upgrade

By Jimmy Tobin-

Saturday night, at the MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland, Ukrainian super featherweight Vasyl “Hi-Tech” Lomachenko stopped New Jersey’s Jason “El Canito” Sosa in nine rounds. The fight was over within minutes, however long it took for the end to come. It was what could become a typical Lomachenko performance: one where an overmatched opponent exercises the only power remaining to him, choosing the moment to lose rather than lament that choice’s departure over another handful of hopeless rounds.

Sosa was a good opponent, good enough to make Nicholas Walters miss the featherweight division, good enough to win a fringe title by knockout, but his haplessness was evident before even a commentary team eager to celebrate Lomachenko would have it (a whiff of danger being welcome if only to celebrate its impotence). In the first round, Sosa threw a right uppercut/left hook counter so late he appeared to be shadowboxing alone. A deep breath followed, as did a nod, and in his body language Sosa betrayed his role in the forthcoming puppetry. Sosa’s greatest attribute was a doggedness that charmed for as long as the fight did; but courage, bravery, resolve—if all they can offer is confirmation of themselves, well, then a fight losses much of that which makes it sporting.

To make too much of Sosa’s comportment is to compensate for the severity of the mismatch. There is a proselytizing quality to such talk, a propagandistic one too; and the force of those arguments reflects the strength of resistance they meet. (It should come as no surprise then, that Lomachenko’s enthusiasts are so passionate: they are railing against the most passionate fanbase in the sport, one that will never find much glory in the practice of hitting and not getting hit).

And yet much of the criticism of Lomachenko smacks of inauthenticity too, seemingly the product of a bitterness, of a frustration with Lomachenko being offered the crown without having earned it. But why get upset over praise from people whose opinions you neither share nor credit? And why act as if a fighter is responsible for what is said of him? Especially when that fighter has on many occasions tempered the highest praise he has been paid?

What can honestly be said of Lomachenko is that he is stylistically and athletically unique among peers and that he has used this idiom to tantalizing effect. Lomachenko shrinks the ring not by closing avenues of escape but by giving his opponents turning sickness, and the angles and body positioning he uses leave opponents one-handed. All the while he chips away at their bodies and resolve with combinations of varying speed and power; surprise as much as leverage his force multiplier. Excellent defensively without being defensive, the moments in a Lomachenko fight when he is not on the attack are few; that it takes Lomachenko time to force a stoppage says more about his style than his mentality (though there is surely a relationship there). One need only see how Lomachenko responded to the concentrated belligerence of Orlando Salido to recognize there is something primal beneath his artifice. And his confounding of Gary Russell Jr. which, not coincidentally, was Lomachenko’s first fight after the Salido loss, was plenty malicious.

Those who relish in destruction, however, may not shine to Lomachenko’s brand of discouragement, especially when he imposes it on men who can offer little resistance. His performances are cold in the way Gennady Golovkin’s are, in a way Sergey Kovalev’s are not. Still, there is also something appealing about a fighter who makes his opponent’s quit; who can persuade men to relinquish their shields rather than leave on them, fully aware of what shame and humiliation may await such a reasonable decision. Yet when the challenge is minimal so too is the shame. And there is the challenge to fully appreciating Lomachenko: you begin by being impressed (even spectacularly so) and your mind conjures up images of his superlative ability tested by a world-class opponent, but then you remember how likely such a contest is, and that is when something too close to ennui or futility or disappointment sets in.

Still, though only nine fights into his career and with a loss on his record, Lomachenko is in a position where already every victory increases the magnitude of a possible defeat. Expectations for Lomachenko are such that he represents one of the premier scalps in the sport—and if you agree you also agree that he is one of its premier talents because knocking off a hype job means very little. Consider, for example, what praise the first man who knocks Deontay Wilder stiff will receive, and how hushed that praise will sound in comparison to the cacophony of laughs had at Wilder’s expense.

The penalty (and reward) for such esteem is that there are already but a handful of acceptable opponents for Lomachenko. If he wanted to clean out his division like Golovkin he would come under fire in a way “GGG” never has. And could you imagine the uproar if he created the 131-pound division? If you believe Mikey Garcia is the fighter to short circuit Lomachenko, you are paying the latter a compliment. If you believe Terence Crawford is Lomachenko’s Waterloo, you are acknowledging that it will take an immensely skilled junior welterweight to hang a defeat on a super featherweight with but nine fights. And then there are those who resort to evoking the 130lb versions of Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao to bring Lomachenko back to earth—as if such measures are anything but flattering.

Lomachenko’s mystique currently exceeds his accomplishments, but how many of the compliments he is paid are greater than those bestowed by the would-be matchmakers who want to see him beaten?

Traction controlled: Lomachenko cruises to another victory

By Bart Barry-

Saturday in Maryland, Ukrainian Vasyl “Hi-Tech” Lomachenko, super featherweight champion of HBO, beat New Jersey’s Jason Soto to a corner stoppage at the conclusion of round 9. The performance was tactical and cold as wintertime in Kiev with Sosa being exactly durable and outclassed as promoter Top Rank anticipated.

Some thoughts:

I drive a Mini Cooper six-speed and despite its pep, at all times it feels too safe because of traction control (and disabling traction control in any car equipped with traction control is a universally bad idea because it was designed with traction control in mind and its engineers generally don’t consider the fate of any motorist dumb enough to disable it). You can still ruin yourself in my car if you’re hellbent on the task but it’s much tougher than you might think, especially if you take a corner too fast, at which point traction control kills the engine and in many ways takes over administration of the automobile. The Texas Hill Country has sundry winding roads that should be intoxicatingly dangerous in a small quick car with a Sport setting, but I’m disappointed to report driving aggressively a car with traction control more nearly resembles a videogame than a mechanical feat (and a Mini – British designed, German engineered – is fractionally so videogamelike as any Japanese sportscar).

I mention this because watching Vasyl Lomachenko fight increasingly reminds me of driving a car with traction control; yes you can slam in a tree if you aim for one but even moderate danger brings the dashboard light with the skid pattern and a cessation of all fun. Lomachenko’s not interested in ringside risktaking – I know, I know; it’s his right as a higher being recognized by Michael Buffer as “the greatest amateur fighter in boxing history” to follow his druthers to no risk whatever – but I’m quite interested in seeing risktaking and as uncouth as this admission may appear, if Lomachenko plans to take no risks going forward I’d rather he used his supernatural gifts to levitate above the ring and strike opponents down with the Force or whatever.

Thankfully Lomachenko lost early enough in his professional career he still has some sense of debt – otherwise we’d be subjected to the Jones/Golovkin Defense: It’s not that Roy beat schoolteachers and Gennady cancer survivors because they can collect generous paydays taking no risk whatever, no, it’s that they’re so dominant everyone except a fulltime government employee or a man strengthened by chemotherapy is frightened of them.

Lomachenko lost foul and square to Orlando Salido a few years back but comported himself with honor throughout and forewent all opportunities at assigning culpability elsewhere. He is indeed a gifted fighter. But until he’s subjected to championship prizefighting’s crucible again and again – where, once more, the object is to hurt the man in front of you, not tally points in flurries like in the amateurs – we won’t know what we have, no matter how incessantly his copromoters Bob Arum and HBO tell us he’s an historic happening (and as an annual reminder: Arum once told this site Kelly Pavlik “will be much bigger than Oscar De La Hoya ever was”).

However incredible Lomachenko’s footwork and artistry, fact remains the Ukrainian just ain’t accurate with his punches as graphical representations imply. Saturday’s opponent was not previously mistaken for elusive but managed to make TGAFIBH miss surprisingly often in the opening 10 minutes by employing rudimentary head movement and not much of it. Lomachenko fights with an arrogance that isn’t quite contempt – again, a probable consequence of losing early in his career – but strays close to it, close to a Jonesian touching of the gloves behind his back, once he determines an opponent is not skilled as he but able to absorb a hundred punches without being felled.

Lomachenko complements this near-contemptuous comportment with regular infight instructions for the referee, undoubtedly a prerogative of being TGAFIBH but a bit of an annoyance too. He treats opponents as targets more than men of volition and if that doesn’t affect the outcomes of his matches, outcomes beginning to feel unappetizingly inevitable, it evidently affects the viewing experience of at least one aficionado. To date Lomachenko has proved a magical solo act but not much of a band leader; he entertains concertgoers with hits from the TGAFIBH catalog – the matador shimmy, the guard slap, the hi-low – but he demonstrates precious little of what intimacy with an opponent the greatest sportsmen find; he is too unaffected to gel or swirl or whisper with another combatant.

It’s an unfair comparison to pit Lomachenko against the Chocolatito standard but since the aforementioned Roy Jones, hyperbolic about anyone who reminds him of himself as he’s understated about everyone else, made the comparison some weeks back, saying Roman Gonzalez was only the world’s best prizefighter if one went strictly by record, much like Warren Buffett is only the world’s greatest investor if one goes strictly by investments, it’s worth a sentence or two to consider the difference between the way Chocolatito fights and Lomachenko does.

Hi-Tech approaches opponents with all the interest of a Gmail spam block; offenders don’t make it to the inbox and Lomachenko remains a great product. Chocolatito meanwhile melds with other men, empathizing with them and guiding them and hurting them and then empathizing with them once more, in a spectacular union of violence and beauty. Some of that is cultural, sure, but other of it reduces to how each man sees his opponents. Lomachenko would do well to feel greater respect for those men and Top Rank would do well to match their guy with more respectable opponents.

Bart Barry can be reached via Twitter @bartbarry

Video: Highlights: Vasyl Lomachenko vs. Jason Sosa

Follow Lomachenko – Sosa Live

Follow all the action as Vasyl Lomachenko defends the WBO Junior Lightweight title against Jason Sosa. The action begins at 10 PM ET with the WBO Cruiserweight title bout with Aleksandr Osyk taking on Michael Hunter. Oleksander Gvozdyk will take on Yunieski Gonzalez in a Light Heavyweight bout.

NO BROWSER REFRESH NEEDED; THE PAGE WILL UPDATE AUTOMATICALLY

12-rounds–WBO Junior Lightweight Title–Vasyl Lomachenko (7-1, 5 KO’s) vs Jason Sosa (20-1-4, 15 KO’s)
ROUND	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	TOTAL
Lomachenko*	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	10				90
Sosa	9	9	9	9	9	9	9	9	9				81

Round 1: Left from Lomanchenko..

Round 2 Straight left from Lomachenko..Body shot..Combinations

Round 3 Combination from Lomachenko..Hard right to body from Sosa..Left uppercut..

Round 4 Sosa left eye beginning to swell..Body shots from Lomanchenko…4 punch combination..Straight left..

Round 5 Straight left from Lomachenko..Hard body shot…

Round 6 Sosa gets in a right…Left from Lomaachenko..Hard body shot…Lomachenko outlanding Sosa 156-41

Round 7 Body shot from Lomachenko..Combination on the ropes..

Round 8 Lomachenko lands a body shot…hard flurry on the ropes..Sosa in trouble

Round 9 Lomachenko lands hard body shots…..FIGHT STOPPED AFTER ROUND…LOMACHENKO TKO END 9

10-Rounds–Light Heavyweights–Oleksandr Gvozdyk (12-0, 10 KO’s) vs Yunieski Gonzalez (18-2, 14 KO’s)
ROUND	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	TOTAL
Gvozdyk*	9	10	TKO										19
Gonzalez	10	9											19

Round 1 4 Punch combination from Gonzalez..Left hook from Gvozdyk

Round 2 Uppercut from Gvozdyk..Good right hand

Round 3 Left hook to body from Gonzalez..COUNTER RIGHT AND DOWN GOES GONZALEZ..Gvozdyk laning hard shots..Gonzalez hurt..Gonzalez nose bleeding..RIGHT HAND AND DOWN GOES GONZALEZ..GONZALEZ CORNER STOPS THE BOUT

12-Rounds–WBO Cruiserweight title–Aleksandr Usyk (11-0, 10 KO’s) vs Michael Hunter (12-0, 8 KO’s)
ROUND	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	TOTAL
Usyk	10	9	9	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	10	118
Hunter	9	10	10	9	9	9	9	9	9	9	9	8	109

Round 1 Hard left by Usyk.. Hunter out threw Usyk 50-27

Round 2 Hunter being scrappy

Round 3 Counter right from Hunter..Hunter hitting and moving ..Hard left from Usyk..

Round 4 Usyk working the body…Good left hook from Hunter

Round 5 Hard left from Usyk..Right from Hunter..

Round 6 Usyk lands 3 punches to the head..2 hard straight lefts..Right Hook

Round 7 Good uppercut from Usyk..

Round 8 Hard combinations from Usyk.. straight left..

Round 9 Body shots from Usyk

Round 10 Left to body from Usyk..3 more hard body shots..Hard right hook..Barrage of punches..Hunter taking a lot of punches..Good right from Hunter

Round 11 Left to body from Usyk..4 punches to the head..

Round 12 Big left hurts Hunter,,Hunter getting with relentless shots…HUNTER GETS AN 8 COUNT…Usyk all over Hunter,,Usyk gets in 10 more big shots…Hunter struggles to make the final bell

Punches: Usyk 321-905 Hunter 190-794

117-110 ON ALL CARDS FOR USYK

Loamachenko beats down Sosa for 9th round stoppage

Vasyl Lomanchenko defended the WBO Junior Lightweight title with a systematic stoppage after nine rounds over Jason Sosa at the MGM National Harbor in Nation Harbor, Maryland.

Lomachenko displayed his incredible ability, landing punches from every angle imaginable using terrific footwoork. Sosa was extremely game and tried for every second of the fight, but he was outmatched as he went up against what some are calling the best Pound for Pound fighter in the world.

Sosa’s left eye began to swell as early s round three, and it did not get any better as Lomachenko landed quick combinations to the head and solid body shots. In round seven, it started to look like that a stoppage was imminent as Sosa began to wilt under the enormous velocity of the punches. Finally after round nine, trainer Raul Rivas made the right call by saving his fighter, Sosa from any more damage and the fight was halted.

Lomachenko is 8-1 with six knockouts. Sosa is now 20-2-4.

Oleksandr Gvozdyk stopped Yunieski Gonzalez in round three of their scheduled 10-round light heavyweight bout.

In round three, Gvozdyk landed a counter left that put Gonzalez on the deck. Gvozdyk landed a barrage of hard shits that kept snapping the head of Gonzalez back. Gonzalez was trying to fight back and was on weary legs until he was dumped on the canvas for a 2nd time. His corner stopped the bout simultaneously at 2:55.

Gvozdyk is now 13-0 with 11 knockouts. Gonzalez is 18-3.

Aleksandr Usyk retained the WBO Cruiserweight title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Michael Hunter.

Usyk got off to a slow start as Hunter was able to use his movement and quickness to win a couple rounds. Usyk started to get on track and land some solid combinations in each round.

Usyk pounded the body hard in round ten, and he started to break the 2016 United States Olympian. Usyk had a big round eleven and a bigger round twelve as he relentlessly pounded Hunter all over the ring, and was credited with a knockdown after one of those barrages forced Hunter to be held up by the ropes. The fight could have been stopped at any point in the last minute, but Hunter was able to make it to the final bell.

Usyk, 199 1/2 lbs of Ukraine won by scores of 117-110 on all cards and is now 12-0. Hunterm 198 lbs is 12-1.

Usyk
“I’m very happy with my performance, I did what I wanted to do, he
took a lot of punches, I thought maybe they would stop
the fight at the end”

“The low blows didn’t really both me, it was annoying however.”

“He was trying to hold and I knew he would do that so I worked in
the gym on keeping him off me and keeping my distance to extend my arms.”

“I’d love to fight any of the title holders, anytime, anyplace.”

Hunter
“No excuses, I lost the fight, no issue with the scorecards.”

“I need to stay more active, I give myself a 6.”

“I’d love to fight him again, it was a great fight and he’s a
great champion.

Tom Loeffler/K2 Promotions
“It was a great TV fight truly showcasing the how talented the
cruiserweight division is.”

“Both are world class fighters and that showed tonight in their
performances.”

“We’re very happy with Aleksandr’s performance and look forward to
his return on HBO.”

Mike Reed won a 10-round unanimous decision over Reyes Sanchez in a welterweight bout.

Reed is now 22-0. Sanchez is 26-10-2.

Jesse Hart stopped Alan Campa in round five of their scheduled 10-round super middleweight bout.

Campa’s corner called a halt to the action at 1:49 of round five.

Hart of Philadelphia is now 22-0. Campa is 16-3.

Egidijus Kavaliauskas stopped Ramses Agaton in round 4 of their scheduled 8-round welterweight bout.

Kavaliauskas dropped Agaton twice in round three and hammered out with a right hand for the ten count at 2:58 of round 4.

Lavaliuskas is now 16-0. Agaton is 18-6-3.

Video: HBO Boxing News: Lomachenko vs. Sosa Weigh-In Recap

Video: Lomachenko-Sosa Weigh-In

DEBUTANT ADAMS FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF HERO ALI AHEAD OF BUMPER WEEKEND WHICH INCLUDES FLANAGAN V PETROV & SMITH V WILLIAMS LIVE ON BOXNATION

LONDON (7 April) – Double Olympic champion Nicola Adams is out to emulate her hero Muhammad Ali when she makes her debut this Saturday night.

The British star enters the professional ranks as part of a stacked card live on BoxNation headlined by world champion Terry Flanagan defending his lightweight world title against Petr Petrov, plus a thrilling clash between Liam Smith and the undefeated Liam Williams.

34-year-old Adams has already taken a leaf out of Ali’s book by breaking down barriers, in her case around women’s boxing, and she is keen to follow the cultural icon by going from an Olympic champion to a world champion.

“To become a world champion would mean everything to me. My hero is Muhammad Ali and he went from being an Olympic champion to a world champion as a professional and that’s exactly what I want to do as well,” said Adams.

“I’m hoping to become a world champion next year. I’m coming for every title. If I stay in the flyweight division I’ll be going for Ava Knight, she’s got all the titles at the moment, so she’s the one I’m aiming for,” she said.

Adams has always been very driven and clear in her ambitions.

As an amateur she won countless accolades and in 2012 became the first ever women’s Olympic champion when she won flyweight gold.

There were calls for her to turn professional right after London 2012 but she was determined to win even more and set new records that had never been achieved before.

“After 2012 I said I wanted to become a Commonwealth Games champion and then win a World Championship and complete the full set of titles,” Adams said.

“We’ve never had anyone do that in amateur boxing – male or female – and I wanted to be able to achieve that, as well as becoming a double Olympic champion by winning again in 2016.

“After achieving my goals in amateur boxing I want to make some new ones and become a world champion as a professional,” she said.

An impressive win this weekend against Argentina’s Virginia Noemi Carcamo will set her well on the way to attaining that goal as she looks to steal the show on a fantastic night of boxing.

BoxNation will broadcast the brilliant bill from the Manchester Arena from 5.30pm, with the full undercard action exclusively live as part of the brand new ‘Premium Pass’.

Attention will then switch to the main events at 8.30pm which will be topped by Flanagan’s defence of his WBO crown against the rugged Russian Petrov.

He hopes to look good in his outing before trying to unify the 135-pound division later this year.

The standout fight on the card, however, which is set to produce fireworks, is the impending battle between former super-welterweight world champion Smith and Welshman Williams.

The clash is for the interim WBO World super-welterweight title, with the winner eyeing the chance of world title glory.

28-year-old Smith carries the experience and has fought some leading names including Canelo Alvarez but Williams is forming a reputation as a big puncher having stopped 11 of his opponents in his 16 wins.

As the younger man at 24-years-old Williams will be looking to grab his opportunity against Smith and emerge as one of Britain’s finest talents.

Also set to feature on the card is another debutant in 19-year-old heavyweight sensation ‘Dangerous’ Daniel Dubois who will be aiming to devastate his opponent Marcus Kelly.

From Manchester, BoxNation will then move Stateside when one of the world’s elite fighters Vasyl Lomachenko defends his WBO super-featherweight world title against the tough 29-year-old Jason Sosa.

Pound-for-pound star Lomachenko knows Sosa will be looking to cause the upset and has also humbly dismissed claims made by many that he is the best fighter on the planet.

“Jason Sosa is very strong, is motivated, wants to win and he can fight all of the twelve rounds. It will be a hard fight. That I know,” said Lomachenko.

“My top three pound for pound list is; GGG, Sergey Kovalev and Terence Crawford. I don’t want to be number one until I deserve it. That means fighting and winning against two or three world champions. After that I may be number one but for sure not now,” he said.

Top unbeaten cruiserweight Oleksandr Usyk is also on the card and faces a tough test against the undefeated American Michael Hunter.

New BoxNation subscribers on the Sky platform will also be able to join the channel without a registration fee (normally £8) until Saturday midnight by entering promo code FREEBOXING.

Not only will subscribers be able to enjoy this weekend’s marathon night of live boxing but the first month will also include the scintillating showdown between Mexican rivals Canelo and Julio Cesar Chavez on May 6th from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

BoxNation is available on Sky/Freeview/Virgin/TalkTalk/EE/Apple TV/ online at watch.boxnation.com and via apps (iOS, Android, Amazon) for just £12 a month. Buy now at boxnation.com.

Video: HBO Boxing News: 1-on-1 with Vasyl Lomachenko