Vasyl Lomachenko best fighter I've ever promoted, says Bob Arum
LAS VEGAS - Bob Arum paused for a good while and pondered the question: just how good can Vasyl Lomachenko be?
After contemplating the query for a moment, the Top Rank CEO told Paste BN Sports that Lomahcenko is the best talent he's ever promoted. Yes, this is a group that includes the likes of George Foreman, Oscar De La Hoya, and, of course, Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Can the two-time Olympic gold medalist really be this special? He's already accomplished an incredible feat by capturing the WBO featherweight title in his third pro fight, and he didn't do so by beating some paper champion. Lomachenko soundly defeated quite a talent in Gary Russell, Jr.
It's clear Lomachenko (4-1, 2 KOs) possesses a rare skill set, but he has a ways to go until his bust is immortalized in Canastota. A victory over Romulo Koasicha on Saturday in Las Vegas (9:30 p.m., HBO) won't do much to enhance his standing in the sport - he's already entrenched on Boxing Junkie's pound-for-pound list - but it will be another opportunity for viewers to take in what many believe is a generation talent.
"I think Lomachenko will be consensus - as much as you can get - pound-for-pound best in the world in a year or two years. I really believe that," the 83-year-old promoter said following Friday's weigh-in. "I've never, ever been so high on a fighter. I mean I was high on De La Hoya when we first got him, but I knew De La Hoya was a work in progress. Lomachenko's not a work in progress."
Arum wants to match his charge with another two-time Olympic gold medalist and fellow pound-for-pound entrant, Guillermo Rigondeaux. The Brooklyn, N.Y. native hopes to make the fight next year and place it in either Monaco, Toronto or New York's Theater at Madison Square Garden. That he's willing to throw Lomachenko in with Rigondeaux speaks to just how highly he views the Ukrainian.
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Lomachenko wanted a bigger fight this time out, Arum says, but understands the business of professional boxing and the challenges that come with making higher-tier fights. For now, Lomachenko hopes to show just how special he is.
"I want to bring something new to boxing," said the 126-pound titleholder. "I want to be known to fans and appreciated as a 'boxer-painter' in regards to speed, footwork, punching power - an art form inside the ring.
"I have looked at videos of many great champions like Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Robinson and Joe Frazier who each had special qualities. I never say one particular fighter is the best ever because each has a special unique style of fighting."
His appreciation of boxing history will serve him well as he progress through the sport. Many talents plateau after reaching such heights so early, but his manager, Egis Klimas, is confident Lomachenko isn't buying into his own press clippings.
"We have not seen the best of Vasyl Lomachenko, maybe something like 40% of what we are going to see," said Klimas, who has an impressive stable of boxers, including Sergey Kovalev. "He pushes himself 120%. He likes to spar 15 rounds daily against four different opponents. No one trains harder. He proved he was the best amateur boxer and he will prove that he is the best professional fighter."
Despite Lomachenko's immense skills, decorated amateur record and the imprimatur of the legendary promoter, he still has a blemish on his record. He challenged for a world title in just his second pro fight, a tangle with rough customer Orlando Salido. Lomachenko dropped a close decision in a foul-filled fight, and if they were to meet again, he would be a heavy favorite. He'd like to avenge his lone professional loss sooner than later.
"Getting Salido back into the ring," he said, "would be something I would like to see."