By Cliff Rold - One guy hasn’t fought anybody.
The other has only two fights.
Put them together and we’ve got one of the more intriguing fights of 2014 to date.
While it won’t technically be the main event on Saturday’s Showtime card (10 PM EST/7 PM PST), Russell-Lomachenko is easily the most must-see fight of the weekend on paper. While this scrap for the vacant WBO Featherweight belt lacks in professional accomplishments, it makes up for it in terms of talent. Lomachenko and Russell are blue chip in that category.
Russell has been a pro since 2009. Lomachenko, excepting how some might view his World Series of Fighting background, turned pro only last year. Both are former Olympians, Lomachenko winning Gold at Featherweight in 2008 and Lightweight in 2012. The Ukrainian has been as ambitious as Russell has been careful in their approach to the paid ranks.
Which path pays off this weekend?
Lomachenko made a big splash with an audacious challenge of Orlando Salido earlier this year. He fell short but came close to pulling out the fight late. It was easy to see where he might be a better fighter down the road. He wasn’t there yet. Too often, he seemed tentative as the veteran put in steady work and did what a quality veteran should against a fledgling pro.
How much did that experience prepare Lomachenko for Russell? In physical terms, this is an entirely different fight so the question is more mental. Does Lomachenko rebound stronger from the loss, able to adapt his learning curve in time and get comfortable as a pro with already his second title shot? [Click Here To Read More]
The other has only two fights.
Put them together and we’ve got one of the more intriguing fights of 2014 to date.
While it won’t technically be the main event on Saturday’s Showtime card (10 PM EST/7 PM PST), Russell-Lomachenko is easily the most must-see fight of the weekend on paper. While this scrap for the vacant WBO Featherweight belt lacks in professional accomplishments, it makes up for it in terms of talent. Lomachenko and Russell are blue chip in that category.
Russell has been a pro since 2009. Lomachenko, excepting how some might view his World Series of Fighting background, turned pro only last year. Both are former Olympians, Lomachenko winning Gold at Featherweight in 2008 and Lightweight in 2012. The Ukrainian has been as ambitious as Russell has been careful in their approach to the paid ranks.
Which path pays off this weekend?
Lomachenko made a big splash with an audacious challenge of Orlando Salido earlier this year. He fell short but came close to pulling out the fight late. It was easy to see where he might be a better fighter down the road. He wasn’t there yet. Too often, he seemed tentative as the veteran put in steady work and did what a quality veteran should against a fledgling pro.
How much did that experience prepare Lomachenko for Russell? In physical terms, this is an entirely different fight so the question is more mental. Does Lomachenko rebound stronger from the loss, able to adapt his learning curve in time and get comfortable as a pro with already his second title shot? [Click Here To Read More]
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