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Lomachenko Is Ready For The Heat
By Igor Frank
President Harry S. Truman coined the phrase “If you can't
stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.” Ukrainian Superstar
boxer Vasyl Lomachenko needs to take the heat to get into
the kitchen to achieve his dream of becoming an undisputed
lightweight champion. He is to face off against a current
unified, undefeated champion, Devin ‘The Dream” Haney for
all the marbles in the division on May 20th, 2023 at the MGM
Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. ESPN Pay Per View will
televise a twelve round contest that promises to be an
intense chess match between two master boxers.
Most experts believe that the much younger and bigger Haney
has too many physical advantages that include a 5-inch reach
perk for older virtuoso, Lomachenko to overcome in the ring.
Young champion, Haney who is almost 3 to 1 betting favorite
promises to retire Loma. However, ESPN analyst, former
undisputed super middleweight champion, Andre Ward said:” In
truth, nobody knows what will happen until they get into the
ring.”
One thing is for sure, Loma needs to get inside the kitchen
to overcome reach deficit and to be effective and if anyone
can do it, Vasyl is capable of doing just that. “Don’t
forget,” exclaimed Vasyl’s manager, Egis Klimas on the
second episode of “Blood Sweat and Tears,” He made three
opponents quit on their stool.” Just in case you forgot, he
made Nicolas Walters quit on his stool in 2016 and Marriaga
and Rigondeaux did the same in 2017.
It is difficult to imagine Devin Haney quitting on his stool
during their much-anticipated contest on May 20th. On the
contrary, following his two comprehensive victories over
former champ, George Kambosos Jr, young American champion is
full of confidence.” Now I get a chance to prove that I am
that guy, “said Haney: “I don’t want to go in there and just
win. I really want to show how dominant I am, how much
better I am than him.”
“He made me wait for four years to fight him,” continued
Haney:” Since I was twenty years old. So I don’t like Loma.
I want to beat him bad. I want to send him into retirement.”
However, two times Olympic gold medalist is not ready to
retire. He is yet to achieve his long term goal of becoming
an undisputed lightweight champion. “I go to bed with this
dream, I wake up with this dream,” said Lomachenko:” Now I
have a big motivation.”
Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum is excited about this matchup
of youth versus expertise and experience. Addressing media
at LA Press conference, Bob said: “Anybody who considers
himself even remotely a boxing fan has to be attracted to
watch this fight. It has all the elements of great fights
like fights in the past where two top fighters in the
division match each other.”
This matchup is very attractive to a boxing fan and just
like in chess I can envision a lot of different scenarios.
Could Haney keep Loma off of him with his reach and a great
long Jab? Could Loma get inside and befuddle young champion
with his footwork?
“No more words, only May 20,” said Lomachenko:” We’ll see.”
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