Boxing News: Lomachenko’s Next Fight a Hot Topic After Kambosos Knockout
The discussion surrounding Vasiliy Lomachenko’s next opponent after his emphatic knockout win over former lightweight champion George Kambosos Jr. has boxing pundits buzzing. Veteran trainer Teddy Atlas believes the timing is right for Lomachenko, the new IBF lightweight champion, to pursue a unification showdown against WBA titleholder Gervonta “Tank” Davis before the end of 2023.
While Davis (29-0, 27 KOs) is set to defend his title against unbeaten Frank Martin in a Prime Video pay-per-view event on June 15 in Las Vegas, he has already expressed his intention to face Lomachenko after the planned victory. However, undefeated WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson and three-division titlist Emanuel Navarrete, who’s challenging for the WBO strap this Saturday, would also likely covet a bout with the 36-year-old Lomachenko.
“If this fight is going to happen, it has to happen soon. (For) Lomachenko, the clock is ticking,” the trainer emphasized.
Analyzing the stylistic matchup, Atlas said Lomachenko would need to navigate the bout with surgical precision, comparing his task to “a guy go in to disarm a bomb. ‘He has to take the red wire out and the green wire out without touching the blue wire – or it’s going to blow everything up.'”
However, fellow analyst Paulie Malignaggi argued that the older Lomachenko (18-3, 12 KOs) is not obligated to face Davis, who Malignaggi claimed “ducked him years ago.” Chris Algieri echoed similar concerns, acknowledging the challenges Lomachenko would face against the prime-aged contenders.
Ultimately, Top Rank President Todd DuBoef stated that Lomachenko will have the final say in selecting his next opponent after the upcoming lightweight title fights over the next six weeks. The boxing world eagerly awaits the next chapter in the illustrious career of the Ukrainian boxing legend.
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