Who wins between Jorge Linares and Vasiliy Lomachenko?
The upcoming bout between Jorge Linares and Vasiliy Lomachenko provides intrigue and excitement. But there are a lot of questions left to be answered.
Jorge Linares and Vasiliy Lomachenko are two of the best boxers in the world. They clash on Saturday, May 12 at 8:00 p.m. on ESPN. Linares’s WBA lightweight title is on the line and there is a good chance Lomachenko will walk away with a new belt.
Over the last six years, Linares has performed consistently. He has carefully improved his boxing skills. He fights intelligently while taking very little punishment in the process. That wasn’t always the case.
He overcame inconsistency earlier in his career and is now a lethal tactician in the ring. Linares is one of the best athletes in the sport of boxing. His hand speed, quick feet and stamina are masterful. The only problem is that Lomachenko might be THE best athlete in the game today.
As gifted as Linares is, Lomachenko is a cut above. Lomachenko might have better reflexes than any boxer who has ever lived. That’s huge praise to throw out, but he might prove it to be true against Linares.
In his last fight, Lomachenko embarrassed Guillermo Rigondeaux. Until that point, Rigondeaux was regarded as one of boxing’s best. Rigondeaux was undefeated, a two-time Olympic champion and reigned as super bantamweight champion for six years.
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Lomachenko made him look like an amateur. Rigondeaux looked like he was in slow motion. Lomachenko landed combinations at will. Rigondeaux complained of hand pain and the fight was stopped in the sixth, but most believe that he quit. Lomachenko demoralized him. That’s what he does to opponents. He makes them give up.
The same thing happened when Lomachenko fought Nicholas Walters in 2016. Walters quit on his stool at the end of the seventh because he knew that his efforts were futile.
Lomachenko’s detractors are quick to point out that Rigondeaux wasn’t a true super featherweight. Rigondeaux moved up two weight classes to fight Lomachenko and there was a significant size disparity. He gave up three inches in height.
Rigondeaux was 37 years old when he fought Lomachenko and past his pinnacle form. Regardless, he was still a world-class boxer.
Physically, Linares matches up well with Lomachenko. Linares is one inch taller and his reach is nearly four inches longer. Usually, Lomachenko fights as a super featherweight. He’s moving up a division to fight Linares.
Whenever a boxer moves up in weight, it’s always a mystery if their power will carry over. Lomachenko has good power for a super featherweight, but it might not have the same impact at lightweight.
Lomachenko doesn’t have great one-punch knockout power. He stops his opponents through an accumulation of punishment. He throws a lot of punches and lands a high percentage of them. His work rate is through the roof.
Lomachenko is a massive betting favorite over Linares. The Sports Book Review has Lomachenko favored at -1150 odds. Linares can hang with Lomachenko early but will fade the longer the fight goes. Linares has a history of wilting when pressured.
In 2011, Antonio DeMarco stopped Linares in the 11th round. He had success landing to Linares’ head and turned his face into a bloody mess. Linares is a more intelligent boxer today, but Lomachenko is going to throw and land more punches on Linares than DeMarco did.
This fight will end in two ways. Either Linares will lose a decision or he will be stopped in the later rounds. A decision is more likely. Linares has learned how to be an effective defensive fighter. He will make Lomachenko miss more than he’s used to, but he will still get tagged.
Next: The resurrection and evolution of Jorge Linares
Lomachenko knows how to score points and his southpaw style will make things difficult for Linares. Linares is a great boxer, but Lomachenko is even better. Look for Linares to bring out the best in Lomachenko.