Jorge Linares is a fluid pure boxer with lightning quick combinations, but is characterized as a very traditional type of fighter. That’s the exact opposite of Vasyl Lomachenko, a southpaw with a uniquely unorthodox style.
Reminding people of a prime-time Manny Paquiao, Lomachenko’s incredible footwork, hand speed and ability to land accurate punches from awkward angles are impossible to prepare for. Yes, Linares had the skill, length and speed to make his May 12 WBA lightweight title fight even and competitive, and he may have owned enough pop to keep the Ukrainian honest. What was doubtful was whether he could adjust quickly enough to every trick that “Hi-Tech” brings to the table.
Lomachenko is always thinking, constantly adjusting and almost always finds a way to land clean punches. His punch resistance would have to be severely compromised in the new weight division in order for him to not eventually find a route to dictate the pace and distance of the fight, while diminishing Linares’ output at the same time.
Linares owns a great jab to set up his lethal combinations. The problem was landing his punches on a consistent basis against the jitterbug lefty Lomachenko. If he could not utilize his jab, Linares would find himself fighting from behind. His history is controlling his bouts as a front runner, setting the pace instead of reacting to it.
In the same way a slugger finally encounters an opponent who can take his punch or can counter even better, the identical frustration can arise for a skilled artist who finally meets someone more creative and versatile.
Lomachenko appears to be one of those special talents who come around once every 25 years. One could not easily predict still another dominant victory similar to his recent successes at the featherweight and junior lightweight levels. Linares has much talent, but Lomachenko was capable of doing it again. His streak of forcing opponents to quit will probably come to an end, but his impressive run may be only beginning.
Down but not out
Most of the above actively played out at Madison Square Garden before 10,429 fans. The culmination was Lomachenko’s quick adjustments and versatility when he lifted himself off the canvas, regained his faculties and buried a disabling punch to the liver of Linares in the 10th round. This damaging blow capped off his daring pursuit to become the fastest man to wear a third weight class belt.
Lomachenko (11-1, 9 KO) added the World Boxing Association’s lightweight title to his featherweight and super featherweight titles. Despite stunning the pro-Lomachenko crowd by landing a right hand to the Ukrainian’s nose, knocking him down, Linares (44-4, 27 KO) lost this, his fourth title defense. It was Lomachenko’s first knockdown in more than 10 years.
While retreating for the final seconds of that damaging sixth round, Lomachenko’s mind stayed sharp and he kept his composure. The fight was close to even entering the deciding 10th round, when Lomachenko’s strategy was to batter Linares with body shots.
Lomachenko swept round nine and retained his energy into the 10th as a tired Linares was troubled by some bad swelling around his left eye. After landing several combinations and uppercuts, Lomachenko delivered the knockout punch that dropped Linares. The 32-year-old Venezulean took some time, only to rise up shakily with both arms down. Referee Ricky Gonzalez lifted Linares’ arms, looked him in the eyes and stopped the bout.
Lomachenko closely out-landed his challenger in total punches, 213-207, but did keep the champion on alert by throwing 112 more punches. Lomachenko used his jab effectively, while Linares managed more power punches.
Promoter Bob Arum said he expected Lomachenko to fight next on August 25 in a mandatory title defense at the Forum, perhaps against World Boxing Organization lightweight champion Ray Beltran (35-7-1, 21 KO) of Mexico. It was noted that moving up five pounds from super featherweight (130 pounds) presented a challenge of physicality for Lomachenko.
Coming in, the Ukrainian had halted four consecutive smaller opponents with each one retiring on their stool. Linares weighed 152 pounds pre-fight, with Lomachenko weighing in at 138 pounds. The edge in quickness went to Lomachenko, but Linares clearly owned the size advantage.
He could not cruise as in his prior routs, but Lomachenko could relish having to dig deeply to find his way to victory and stand as one of 47 boxers in history with world titles in three divisions. This was a bona fide slugfest in which his opponent would not quit. Lomachenko stood up to Linares and showed the deep-down fortitude required to knock him out.
This fight was a learning experience, with Lomachenko admitting it in his post-fight interview on ESPN: “Thank you to Jorge Linares for giving me one more lesson in this interesting sport.”
With the win, Lomachenko shattered the all-time boxing record for fewest fights needed to win a world title in three weight divisions, accomplishing the feat in just his 12th fight. The previous record was held by Jeff Fenech, who won his third belt in his 20th fight in 1988.
On May 11, Lomachenko and his father swept the Boxing Writers Association of America awards for fighter and trainer of the year. The Sugar Ray Robinson Award (Fighter of the Year) was Vasyl Lomachenko. The Eddie Futch Award (Trainer of the Year) was Anatoly Lomachenko.