Lomachenko evokes “No Mas-Chenko”; What’s next for Kambosos?

Vasiliy Lomachenko produced a vintage performance on Sunday in Perth, Australia, to become champion again, proving he is still among the sport’s elite.

Lomachenko (18-3, 12 KOs) has undoubtedly been one of the best boxers in the world since June 2014, when he became champion in only his third professional fight. From that dominant performance against Gary Russell Jr. to Sunday’s 11th-round TKO victory over George Kambosos Jr. to win the vacant IBF lightweight title, Lomachenko remains otherworldly.

This stoppage victory over Kambosos – Lomachenko’s first since June 2021 – is a reminder of the Ukrainian’s greatness at 36 years old. This is Kambosos’ third loss, but his previous two losses came by decision to Devin Haney. And Kambosos has a win over Teofimo Lopez, ESPN’s 2021 Upset of the Year.

Lomachenko became the first fighter to finish the Australian and did it in style. He broke Kambosos with a series of sharp lefts, bloodying the right eye. Lomachneko finally hit him with a left hand to the body, followed by a flurry that forced the corner to throw in the towel.

“He’s a sports legend,” Kambosos said. “…He’s one of the best fighters in history.”

This is of course not hyperbole. The two-time Olympic gold medalist is a future Hall of Famer, and after the disappointment of his controversial decision loss to Haney a year ago, Lomachenko is gaining momentum again.

He could find his next opponent in a week. Emanuel Navarrete meets Denys Berinchyk for the vacant WBO lightweight title in San Diego on Saturday.

Navarrete is a heavy favorite to become a four-division champion, and Top Rank is looking to face the Mexican with Lomachenko later this year. It’s a fascinating clash of styles. Navarrete is a 5-foot-7 whirlwind with a 72-inch reach.

Lomachenko proved Sunday that he still has the reflexes to shoot through openings when they present themselves. He can still evoke memories of No Mas-Chenko, the man who made opponent after opponent abandon the stool when he was the pound-for-pound king. And with a title around his waist, he looks set for one last run at the top of the sport.

— Copper

Kambosos’ career hangs by a thread. what’s next for him?

Kambosos was fully aware of the monumental stakes at stake when he stepped into the ring to fight pound-for-pound superstar Lomachenko.

He knew victory would cement his legacy as an icon of Australian boxing, a world champion who produced not one, but two of the greatest upsets of the era, against two generational fighters. Kambosos has argued ad nauseam that such a feat would be enough to secure him a place in the International Boxing Hall of Fame, an honor bestowed on only five of his compatriots. The victory would have also opened the door to more championship fights at 135 pounds.

But Kambosos also knew that a loss to Lomachenko would mark the end of his international boxing career. And on Sunday afternoon, after being humiliated at home for 11 rounds, Kambosos cut a dejected figure as he left the ring, knowing his career was hanging by a thread.

For Kambosos, Sunday’s loss to Lomachenko will see him fall down the lightweight hierarchy, placing himself dangerously on the brink of irrelevance, not only in the division but in the world of boxing. Kambosos is unlikely to fight for another world title, but he has no regrets about accepting this fight.

“I did my best. I had the best preparation. I gave everything in training camp and unfortunately it wasn’t enough today, but that’s how it is. I walked towards the best. I fought the best. You suffer a defeat,” Kambosos told ESPN. “He’s a true champion. He’s a legend of this sport and I give him the utmost respect. I never disrespected him. I always gave him respect and we knew what we were up against. “

Kambosos’ victory over Lopez will never be taken away from him, but Sunday’s latest defeat – his third in four fights – proved that winter night at Madison Square Garden was an anomaly of the highest order.

Since then, the Australian hasn’t looked close to a world champion caliber fighter. Not only has he been shut out in each of his last four fights, but he has also been unable to resolve issues in the ring and show signs of shifting momentum when things aren’t working in his favor.

Kambosos promoter Lou DiBella spoke earlier in the week about the possibility of his man moving up to junior welterweight for a rematch against Lopez. The only caveat was that he had to show that he was still a world-class fighter. His performance against Lomachenko did nothing of the sort. Kambosos was outclassed from the opening bell until Lomachenko landed a flurry of punches to force his corner to raise the white flag.

-Michaels