https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JU5rUOEHt8E
High-level operators square-off this Saturday night live on HBO, when Vasyl Lomachenko and Nicholas Walters meet at the Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas. The Ukrainian native puts his 130lb title on the line but the meaning of this fight goes much deeper. It’s a chance for Vasyl to prove himself worthy of the heaps of high-praises bestowed upon him from the boxing world. Many media members and fight fans alike already rank Lomachenko as a top-5 pound for pound fighter based of the eye-test along with two solid wins against Gary Russell Jr. and Rocky Martinez. It also gives redemption to those who are in the wait-and-see crowd having witnessed enough weaknesses in a split-decision loss to Orlando Salido.
For Nicholas Walters it’s an opportunity to get back momentum lost from a long layoff and a disappointing draw with Jason Sosa. It should be mentioned basically no one actually thought he loss to Sosa, who’s shown to be a quality fighter in his last two outing. The fact that Sosa has two fights since last December is perfect example in a nutshell of how unjust this sport can be. If the ‘Axe Man’ were to pull a sizable upset per Las Vegas betting lines, the perception most had after his destruction of Nonito Donaire would return tenfold.
The nuts and bolts to this matchup is more intriguing then the sports books say, so don’t be shocked if Walters is the one getting his hand (axe) raised on Saturday night. Both men’s jab our very effective with the slight advantage leaning towards Vasyl due to the different variations of it. Punching power on paper seems it would favor Walters but judging by their last fights at junior lightweight it’s probably closer to even. Walters has the more straightforward, thudding power whereas Lomachenko’s technique and speed increases the impact.
Both boxers use footwork but few in all of boxing poses the elite foot positioning, on offense & defense to measure up with a Lomachenko. Timing will be a major factor for both combatants and one could argue the most important of all. Loma will use timing as Walters attempts to close the gap thus taking away many of his Vasyl’s best attributes. Nicholas doesn’t fight in the style of an Orlando Salido, so the use of timing versus Lomachenko in needed. Walters must time his punch as Loma is throwing his barrage, a prime example of that would be Danny Garcia versus Amir Khan.
On offense it’s particularly difficult not to leave an opening mid-punch and if Walters were successful it would limit the rapid-fire combinations we’ve become accustomed to seeing from Lomachenko. A hesitant, one punch at a time Vasyl is the best bet for Walters to secure victory. Of course timing and overall sharpness generally comes from activity and it’s silly to think 11 months of inactivity won’t show up especially in the early rounds.
Walters must channel his inner-Salido if only in spots to test just how much improved his opponent is in the trenches. Body punching is another must for Walters, even if it does come after a flurry has landed on him. Liver shots and mucking-it-up on the inside mixed with his undervalued skill behind a jab will keep Walters in this fight. To be frank, the Jamaican likely needs a knockdown to ensure favorable scorecards, which brings me to a final point. What is the likely hood that the ‘Axe Man’ will get the nod considering his own promoter is already looking past him? Arum has a job to do as a promoter no doubt but claiming Vasyl is the best fighter since Muhammad Ali is far more than a stretch. Arum linking Loma with a possible Pacquiao fight is telling, even if it’s just well place rhetoric to put the two pugilists in the same sentence for a headline.
This fight will be closer than most see it. The end result could be lop-sided but the chess match within each round should make for a competitive two-way bout. Let us not forget for all the lofty expectations, Loma did lose to an aging Salido, albeit in his second pro fight. Make no mistake about it Nicholas Walters represents the best in his prime opponent to date for Lomachenko.
My official prediction is Vasyl Lomachenko by Unanimous Decision.
Written by Chris Carlson Host of The Rope A Dope Radio Podcast at blogtalkradio.com/ropeadoperadio or Subscribe on iTunes. Follow on Twitter @RopeADopeRadio.