Vasyl Lomachenko-Nicholas Walters a rare treat for boxing fans
Vasyl Lomachenko and Nicholas Walters have agreed to terms for a fight on November 26 in what promises to be one of 2016’s most intriguing contests. This is a rare treat for boxing fans, who have had to suffer through a year of false starts and underwhelming match-ups.
Thus far, mismatches and marquee fights falling through have defined 2016’s boxing calendar, which got off to an ignominious start with Sergey Kovalev’s bludgeoning of Jean Pascal in an unnecessary rematch in January and reached a near-tipping point with Canelo Alvarez’s knockout of Liam Smith a couple of weeks ago.
Fortunately, there are a few contests that boxing fans can still look forward to this year, with Sergey Kovalev-Andre Ward standing out as 2016’s most significant match-up. But don’t overlook Vasyl Lomachenko-Nicholas Walters, which is finally happening after some months of uncertainty.
Here are some details courtesy of ESPN.com’s Dan Rafael:
Walters signed a contract for the long-awaited fight on Tuesday, Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti told ESPN.com. Lomachenko and Walters will meet for Lomachenko’s 130-pound world title on Nov. 26 in the main event of an HBO-televised card, probably at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas.
“Much thanks and appreciation must be given to HBO management for stepping up and getting this done,” Moretti said of the network, which has had budget issues all year. “We’re talking Lomachenko, who is the best boxer, bar none, from 126 to 135 pounds, against Nicholas, who is a vicious puncher at any weight. Walters is as tough as they come and is so motivated for this fight. Walters has a Ph.D. in boxing — poor, hungry and determined.”
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As Rafael notes, Lomachenko (6-1, 4 KOs) and Walters (26-0-1, 21 KOs) were initially slated to fight in June, but disagreements about weight and Walters’ purse derailed the bout. It seems, though, that Walters eventually came to his senses following a period of professional stagnation. Sure, Walters deserved to beat Jason Sosa in his last fight (which was ruled a controversial draw), but he has hardly any negotiating leverage at this point.
Vasyl Lomachenko, on the other hand, is completely refreshing. The two-time Olympic gold medalist actually follows through on his claims that he only wants to face elite opposition, and it’s hard to argue against his standing as one of the sport’s best pound-for-pound fighters despite the fact that he has less than 10 pro bouts to his name.
Lomachenko-Walters, which will be contested for Lomachenko’s WBO 130-pound title, is a classic match-up of boxing virtuoso and hellacious puncher. Although Lomachenko will be a deserved favorite, Walters has a genuine equalizer.
And don’t discount Lomachenko’s power, either. In his first fight at 130 pounds, he annihilated Rocky Martinez’s with a Knockout of the Year contender right hook. Lomachenko may also have the best footwork in the sport, so Walters faces the tall task of cutting off the ring and creating angles to land his seemingly heavier blows. Although it isn’t quite at the Kovalev-Ward level, Lomachenko-Walters is the kind of great match-up boxing rarely delivers.