In a recent interview, the Ukrainian featherweight champion Vasyl Lomachenko (5-1-0) stated that he is not at all interested in talking about Guillermo Rigondeaux (16-0-0), but is instead interested in fighting Mexico’s Leo Santa Cruz (31-0-1).
Rigondeaux, with every fight he slowly nails his own career shut. One by one, his fights prove to be less and less exciting, and this kind of lackluster event has no monetary value to most. All this aside, he is an exceptional technical fighter, accumulating victories one after another seemingly without much effort.
For a fighter like Lomachenko, who is building his career on his explosiveness in return to his opponent’s aggression, facing someone like Rigondeaux might stall his popularity.
“I don’t want to talk about Rigondeaux, I have already stated my opinion on this three hundred thousand times. Who would I want to fight? Leo Santa Cruz. With pleasure. We are ready for anyone, but the problem lies in the promotional companies. They cannot negotiate with each other. Just the wish of an athlete is not enough,” said Lomachenko.
The southpaw champion has been getting more publicity in the recent past, elevating his stock to new heights. With this comes the ability to slightly start dictating your own wants and needs. This is exactly what Lomachenko is now doing: handpicking his own opponents.
This is not to say that Leo Santa Cruz is not a challenging opponent. His recent majority decision victory over Abner Mares has certainly boosted his confidence. This not only adds actual popular value, but a financial as well.
Lomachenko vs. Santa Cruz would undoubtedly prove to be an exciting bout, but as stated, it’s all in the hands of the promoters.