Vasyl Lomachenko and Teofimo Lopez will go at it this weekend in Las Vegas.
The pair will meet with the WBA (Tremendous), WBO, and IBF light-weight titles up for grabs and it’s one of many greatest fights the boxing world will see in 2020, a yr marred by the coronavirus.
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Lomachenko, a 14-1 three-weight world champion is among the most revered and admired fighters in boxing.
Taking him on is Lopez, the 23-year-old from Brooklyn who needs so as to add to his IBF title and make it 16-0.
As younger as he’s, he’s definitely extra than simply an thrilling prospect given all he has achieved to this point.
Beneath, a combination of present fighters, world champions, Corridor of Famers and coaches give their tackle who they suppose will win.
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Shawn Porter – former two-time welterweight world champion
I believe this combat is a bit of untimely for Lopez, however we’ve seen all of it on this sport. It’s a combat I might like to see Teofimo win, however I don’t know if he can. I don’t suppose that he can. I’m going to go forward and say I believe Lomachenko wins the combat, but when it goes fully the opposite manner, I’ll be leaping up and down belief me.
Out of the 4 guys – Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia, Shakur Stevenson and Teo, I believe Teo is just a bit bit forward of Shakur Stevenson. I believe Devin falls into third and Ryan is on the backend in fourth.
I believe if any of these guys had an opportunity of beating Lomachenko, it’s Teo.
Jorge Linares – former three weight world champion who misplaced to Lomachenko in 2018
It’s a really harmful combat for Lomachenko as a result of Lopez has energy. He’s a really troublesome man with a troublesome model. However, come on. Lopez is just not quick like me. He doesn’t have the velocity like me. I don’t suppose he has this [points to his head] too.
He’s a hungry man that desires to kill him – that’s it. So it’s a harmful combat however harder for Lopez. Lomacehnko is a really, very good man. He’s very quick, very troublesome.
But in addition, Lomachenko isn’t the identical man because the combat with me. It’s completely different – he hasn’t carried out a tremendous job since.
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Amir Khan – former unified gentle welterweight world champion
The best way you beat Lomachenko… look, he’s a really affected person fighter. He likes to attend, he likes to time you, he makes you miss and he hits you. The best way you beat somebody like that’s you beat them at their very own recreation.
And he jogs my memory of the outdated typical Ukraine fighters within the newbie days, how they used to combat. The Cubans too. They’ll wait, make you miss after which come at you with an amazing shot that may harm you, perhaps one or two.
So the best way you combat him, the jab is the important thing in that combat. The velocity of it and maintaining the combat at a protracted distance, maintaining the vary lengthy since you don’t wish to get too near him. Loma can throw combos within the pocket fairly properly.
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Freddie Roach – legendary boxing coach, who most famously labored with Manny Pacquiao
Lomachenko wins. Punches are actually good after they get landed, however once you received somebody as defensive and as elusive as Lomachenko, it’s laborious to do. Lopez has a puncher’s likelihood, sure, however that’s the case in numerous fights.
Terence Crawford – former three-weight world champion and present WBO welterweight king
Sure, Lopez is prepared for this combat and I’ve been saying it for a very long time. I don’t know if he’ll win, however he’s prepared. Who’s going to win? I’d be taught a bit of extra in direction of Lomachenko given he’s received the expertise and he’s been right here earlier than, however, on the similar time, you’ll be able to’t rely Teofimo out.
Mark Robinson/Matchroom
He’s an amazing younger fighter that has received numerous expertise, numerous punching energy, believes in himself and he’s no slouch. He’s coming to combat and knock you out each time.
Oscar De La Hoya – 11-time world champion in six weight lessons, who now runs Golden Boy Promotions
I really like this combat. Lopez is a breath of contemporary air to the division He’s thrilling, he’s explosive, he’s outspoken and also you want these sort of excellent man versus villains within the divisions.
Ryan Garcia, he’s man. He’s a beast, however man. Lopez is the unhealthy man and also you want these form of rivalries.
I believe Lomachenko is a tremendous boxer, a tremendous fighter. However, Linares uncovered him a bit of bit. Only a bit, not an excessive amount of, however sufficient in order that fighters can really feel assured arising in opposition to Loma.
Teofimo has that confidence, that confidence that he can beat him and you already know what? He most likely can!
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Andre Ward – multiple-time world champion in two weight lessons, retired with an ideal 32-Zero file
Properly, his dad wished the combat. He backed his pops up, however that’s a giant cheque to put in writing.
The factor about attempting to repeat the Mayweather model, that’s a generational factor. Floyd Snr and Roger fought like that, it’s one thing Floyd did from the crib. He didn’t watch anyone to combat like that, he was taught like that.
Lopez comes out within the first spherical fully completely different to how Floyd did and he will get hit with proper fingers. That’s why I’m not a fan of Teofimo dashing to this combat.
Eddie Hearn – Influential combat promoter and head of Matchroom Boxing
Nice combat. Lopez has carried out some sensible speaking. My tip is that Vasyl Lomachenko will win each spherical. I consider so.
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Ryan Garcia – light-weight prodigy ranked sixth on this planet
I believe I give the sting to Lomachenko. I’m going to say it proper now, Lomachenko is just not essentially the most gifted. His velocity doesn’t impress me. His punching energy didn’t impress me after we sparred.
He was higher than me after we sparred after all, I used to be solely like 19. Lopez isn’t loopy gifted both. He’s a bit of extra naturally gifted than Lomachenko, however Lomachenko places an excessive amount of of his thoughts and IQ into boxing.
That IQ will f*** Teo up. I actually don’t give a f*** who wins however if you happen to’re asking for my opinion, I believe Lomachenko wins.
