Lomachenko should have fought John in his first pro fight

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by Big Ukrainian, Jun 30, 2018.


  1. Big Ukrainian

    Big Ukrainian Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I think Bob Arum had choosen a very wrong direction for Lomachenko at the beginning of his career. Loma could have set the record that would be literally impossible to break - win the major world title in his first pro fight. Surely, he needed to get ranked firstly, but Bob could have easily bought a place for Vasyl in the top-15 of the most corrupted major organization - WBA. Back then in 2013 WBA featherweight title was held by aging Chris John (48-0-3, 22 KOs), who would have lost to Vasyl by UD in my opinion. John was definitely past his prime by then, he wasn't the fighter that scored the win against Marquez. He beat very average Stas Merdov 7-5, 8-4 and 8-4 on judges cards two years before that, so I can't see 2 years older version of John defeating Lomachenko in October 2013.

    After beating John he could have unified the titles with another one Arum's figther Evgeny Gradovich, whom he would beat easily. Winning major title in the first pro fight and unifying titles in the second one would be absolutely great achievement.
     
    Last edited: Jun 30, 2018
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  2. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    John would have been a great scalp for a young Lomo. But then again, that would have actually been good matchmaking, and we know how boxing typically operates with the fights that should be made...
     
  3. LANCE99

    LANCE99 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    You seriously can't be criticizing Loma's first few fights as bad matchmaking are you? Loma ad TR did what NO ONE does at all.
     
  4. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    It's not about the match making being terrible, more so that it optimally could have been better. Lomo could be an even greater fighter if he had some of the filler cut out of his first few fights.

    Lets not pretend Chris John wouldn't of been a fantastic name that would have contributed plenty to Lomo's record. It certainly would have been better match making then steering him towards Salido, yes?
     
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  5. Braindamage

    Braindamage Baby Face Beast Full Member

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    Love Loma! With a win over John in his first pro fight, do you think Loma would have been ready for all the heat after that win? Everybody and their momma would have been gunning for him. Guys would drop down and come up to get a shot at that belt. Imagine all the talk about Loma ducking this guy or that guy. His biggest mistake, thus far in his career, was accepting the Salido fight when Salido purposely did not make weight. I would have waited and fight for the vacant belt. Not as impressive but, he probably would still be undefeated and have the record for getting a belt faster than anyone in boxing history. In all honesty, can any real boxing fan complain about the way Loma's career has gone or is going?
     
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  6. LANCE99

    LANCE99 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    This is getting a little carried away. He wouldn't be "even greater" because a greatness is based on a career, not a fight.
     
  7. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    Getting carried away? Lomo himself is the one who wants to be great, a P4P elite. He says he's all for the challenges, the weight jumping, so on and so forth. That's why he fights.

    If you think he needed to spend his first few years fighting the likes Suriya Tatakhun, Jose Ramirez, Gamalier Rodriguez and Koasicha than I don't know what to tell you. All of those bouts were meaningless slaughters. Better match making would ensure Lomo was taking on nothing but the biggest challengers early, not spinning his wheels after terrible match making put him in with Salido in the first place.

    OP had a great point that I agree with, he should have been matched up with John. Would have helped with his exposure as well, depending on where they had the bout.
     
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  8. Big Ukrainian

    Big Ukrainian Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I think matching him against John in the first pro fight would be great. He would beat John and then he could have beaten Gradovich to unify WBA/IBF titles. I can't see him losing to Gradovich in any case. But had he won 2 titles in 2 pro fights, he could have lost his hunger down the road.
     
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  9. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    I don't think Lomo is the type who would settle for "only" two weight titles. He clearly wants to be great, have a legacy, set records (well, more of them)
     
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  10. LANCE99

    LANCE99 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    And yet...all these other P4P elites (and everyone else before and after Loma's debut) still do it the old way. Building up as prospects for the first 15 or so fights. Why do you think that's the case? Because all the matchmakers don't know as much as you (As you accuse me of?) It's not even a given that the late version of Chris John beats that Solido (assuming he'd face a same version), who would outweigh John as well.

    Chris John wouldn't help with any exposure, except maybe in Indonesia, IF they fought there. John was, up until his retirement, a complete unknown commodity in the US.
     
  11. LANCE99

    LANCE99 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    My only criticism with CJ as his first fight is, John was shell of himself at that point. It would be like William Joppy beating Roberto Duran. ;)
     
  12. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    Yes, that's how it's conventionally done. I'm aware. Lomochenko, his team and his promoter have completely abandoned "conventional" however so far in the name of making him a great fighter, a P4P sensation, and a record setter, so I'm unsure of how conventional rules partly apply to this new wave of fighter. A fighter who many say is the first truly great fighter in an entire generation. You want to pick and choose which conventional rules he sticks to while bucking all other conventions.
     
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  13. LANCE99

    LANCE99 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Fair enough :beer-toast1:
     
  14. slender4

    slender4 Boxing Junkie banned Full Member

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    Any version of Chenko would have his hands full with John, and Uncle Bob would have NEVER made that fight. That's why they picked a basic facefighter for his title shot.

    John was one of the most underrated fighters of the 2000's he was similar to Linares but a better fighter.
     
  15. slender4

    slender4 Boxing Junkie banned Full Member

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    So was Salido.