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Vasyl Lomachenko defends his WBO super featherweight title against Guillermo Rigondeaux at the Madison Square Garden on December 9th, 2017.
This is a fight between two of the best pure boxers in the business and two former amateur superstars. It may not have the appeal as Canelo vs. Golovkin or even Mayweather vs. McGregor, but this is one of the most anticipated bouts of the year.
Undefeated Fighters
Lomachenko enters the fight with a deceiving 9-1 record. Despite just 10 fights under his belt, he’s already won two world titles in different weight classes. Lomachenko has not lost since losing a controversial decision to Orlando Salido in 2014. He will be fighting for the third time this year and making the fourth defense of his title.
Like Lomachenko, Rigondeaux is undefeated as a pro at 17-0 with 11 KOs. He is coming off a no-contest against Moises Flores in June 2017. Rigondeaux has boxed just a total of three rounds after 2015. He is moving up two weight classes in search of the biggest conquest of his career.
About The Weight
Lomachenko opened as a huge -500 favorite with Rigondeaux coming back as the underdog ay +350. The line may look surprising but actually it is not. Rigondeaux is moving up two weight classes to challenge Lomachenko so more than skill and talent, the odds are about the difference in weight.
Rigondeaux boxed as a bantamweight during his amateur days and has been fighting at super bantamweight in the pros. However, he is skipping the featherweight weight class and will be going straight up to super featherweight to challenge Lomachenko for the latter’s WBO title.
Can Be Dropped
There is a absolutely no questioning Rigondeaux’s skills and abilities but the sudden jump from 122 pounds to 130 pounds cannot be ignored.
Another factor to consider is that while Rigondeaux is a terrific defensive fighter, he gets dropped when he gets tagged. Offensive fighters Nonito Donaire, Hisashi Amagasa and Ricardo Cordoba each put Rigo on the floor. Given that he is facing a bigger, stronger and maybe faster boxer in Loma, that might be a problem.
Lomachenko might be the best pound for pound fighter in the sport today. He is the total package. Loma has a very high boxing IQ, quick footwork and is one of the best in boxing from a distance. He is also a very efficient counter puncher because of his head movement and ability to slip punches.
More Punching Power
Rigondeaux isn’t a pushover but given that he’s moving up in weight and fighting perhaps the best boxer today, he’s got his work cut for him. Lomachenko has more punching power than anybody Rigo has faced and that may be the difference here.
This is going to be a great fight, no doubt. But we’ll have to pick Vasyl Lomachenko to win this fight because he is the bigger puncher here. Vasyl Lomachenko by late stoppage or close unanimous decision.
