Gary Russell Jr x Lomachenko ordered by WBO for FeatherWeight Title

He is dropping a level... why GRJ is the mandatory I don't know.

 

Yeah GRJ' predictable jab, poor footwork and poor defence shows that he's technically superior to Lomachenko. GRJ was getting tagged by 15-7 bum Tomayo in his last fight.
If GRJ can last the distance with Lomachenko then that's a big win for him, he's nowhere near Lomachenko's level and never will be.

 

If Lomachenko can't stop GRJ I consider it a loss for Lomachenko.
If Lomachenko loses a round to GRJ I consider it a loss for Lomachenko.
If GRJ lasts 12 rounds I consider it a win for GRJ.
If GRJ even accepts the fight I'll be surprised.

These guys are on two vastly different levels, it's a shame that Lomachenko has to win his title from a vacant title shot against the likes of GRJ. It will be a good showcase for Lomachenko but I suspect that GRJ is nothing more than a journeyman so it won't be looked back on as a good win.
If Salido didn't cheat, the ref wasn't incompetent and Lomachenko paced himself better then Lomachenko would be 2-0 with a legit title win to look back on. Instead it was a split decision loss against 147lb Salido in a bout that many thought Lomachenko won. All that matters in history is that it is recorded as an L. A real shame. At least it exposes the morons who think that the 0 is indicative of a fighters quality.

 

Midget Russell not happy... already looking for a way out? He talks about behind the scenes, which is what his father was talking about when he claimed that Lomachenko's fights could be rigged. I predict that GRJ refuses the fight on the grounds that "I can't ensure that the fight isn't going to be rigged, it's business baby and I need to feed my family and keep my 0" and then he'll proceed to have bout number 25 against TBA while he waits for the other champs to stop ducking him.

[url]http://ringtv.craveonline.com/news/327169-gary-russell-jr-2[/url]

 

All the articles I've read, even as recent as a week and a half ago state that it's only his father, so if he has a pro trainer helping, I haven't found a report of it.

 

I usually don't believe in conspiracy theories, but Loma is 1-1 and already has another shot. Something really fishy.

 

Some thoughts (at least, my thoughts) based on both men's latest fights:

* Loma has great (head) movement while Gary's kinda stiff/stationary.
* Gary has a great double-guard but little/no head movement.
* Not sure Loma's punches will effect Gary.
* Gary's gonna need to be fast on his feet and not chase Loma for 12 rounds.
* Loma's gonna need to be first and not let Gary get off first too often: stick and move; stick and lateral

Taking everything into account I think Loma's gonna be too elusive for Gary, if his punch ouput is high enough.
My pick: Loma SD/UD in a close fight

 

His debut fight was against a contender to earn a ranking with WBO. He got that in order to fight against the belt holder, Salido. Salido came in overweight, won a controversial decision and the ref job was questionable. It would've been fishy if Lomachenko didn't get another immediate title shot. Now tell me what GRJ has done to get a shot? He hasn't even fought someone as good as Lomachenko fought in his debut. Quit looking at that 1-1 and recognise that his debut opponent was the typical fighter you fight when you're 20-0 and fighting for the belt in your next fight. Lomachenko demolished that guy and arguably should've got the W against the 147lb Salido. I really don't know how people can't understand this, next we're going to have people claim Al Raymi is more deserving of a title shot because he has more 'pro experience' atsch

 

What makes you think that Lomachenko's punches won't effect Gary? Tomayo who was a blown up flyweight made Gary look uncomfortable and Tomayo was the definition of bum. Gary has never fought anyone anywhere near to the level of Lomachenko, especially not in the pro game. Then take into account that Lomachenko was able to hurt the biggest Salido we've ever seen, I don't see GRJ being able to withstand the punches to the body or head. Lomachenko's original pro debut opponent (Oquendo) has done better against the same opposition as GRJ, and Ramirez was considered a step up from Oquendo. I think that gives us an accurate indication of where GRJ actually sits, and you have to question why GRJ still hasn't stepped up to the contender level, and why his best opponent picked so far was notoriously featherfisted.
GRJ is getting sparked, I guarantee it. That's if he takes the fight.

 

Loma takes this.

 

Time to cash in on Gary it seems.

Honestly think Loma batters him. Salido repeatedly cheated to beat a green loma and let's face it would be very unlikely to beat him in a rematch but would be a heavy favourite against gary 'recycle' russell jr.

 

His handlers were guaranteed an early championship fight if the kid signed with Top Rank......they were NOT expecting Salido to win in the last fight but he did and that's why Loma is getting another crack at a title. The governing bodies are ranking the kid based in his legendary career in the Olympics.

 

LMAO!

Seriously, though. This fight will be great, if it actually happens.

 

He hurt Salido late in the fight when Salido was tired/tiring.

Gary's defense to the body is rock solid. Besides, Loma barely goes to the body (at least vs Salido he didn't).
Both men (Loma & Gary) appear to have decent beards.

Gary has a (better) jab and knows how to get inside with the jab-right hook to the body. Loma barely jabs and when in close counters holds.

Close fight. IMO.

 

No.