Top Rank is talking about a potential major fight between in house pound for pound elite Vasyl Lomachenko and top lightweight Jorge Linares. The only problem here is that Linares is with Golden Boy. Will we get what amounts to a minor superfight when the Ukrainian moves up?
Vasyl Lomachenko (10-1, 8 KOs) is ranked by many as the top pound for pound fighter in the sport. If Andre Ward is really retired, he is at worst number two behind Terence Crawford in my view. Hardly anyone credible would have him any lower. Most recently the two time Olympic gold medalist embarrassed another two time Olympic gold medalist in Guillermo Rigondeaux into quitting on his stool in December. That fight was the only time two men with such amateur Olympic credentials have met in the ring.
Lomachenko did have a considerable size advantage in that fight, however. He would not against Jorge Linares (44-3, 27 KOs). The Venezuelan is one of the two top lightweights in the world alongside Mikey Garcia. Since losing back to back fights nearly six years ago now, Linares has won 13 straight to solidify himself as a fringe pound for pound player in the sport. Last month he defended his title against in house opponent Mercito Gesta and cruised to the easy victory that he should have.
In talking with Ring Magazine, Top Rank’s Bob Arum noted that “Lomachenko doens’t want to mess around.” He is claiming that their top priority is to book their feared Ukrainian in against Linares in his lightweight debut. Unfortunately, despite Arum’s bravado in saying things like “He’ll go to 135 pounds and he’ll make a joke of Linares,” I remain skeptical. This has not been Bob Arum’s way. More true to type would be having Lomachenko take an easier match in his debut from inside Top Rank’s stable. They have done well to get their own lightweight Ray Beltran a very winnable looking title bout coming up too. Arum noted him as the backup option. I suspect that’ll be the fight we end up with.
Either way, it looks like Top Rank is penciling in this show in for May 12th on ESPN at Madison Square Garden. I hope I am wrong and it comes through.
