Is it too early to compare Lomachenko to all time greats? I think not, but I think the topic is an interesting one for those who say no.
Do as you please but the man hasn't even fought less than 15 fights. And he hasn't even won all of those. I'll withhold my judgement for the time being. He had a couple of nice wins back to back against that Jamaican guy who KOd Monitor Donaire and against Rigo who was coming off a 2 year lay off. Besides that, I see nothing too spectacular about Loma
Do we judge greats on the 20-30 no names they beat or the top fighters they fought? I say the latter. Lomo has won 13 world title fights in 3 different weight classes and obtained the #1 pound for pound status. Those numbers are tough to match...many All time greats never achieved the above. Lomo has very little fat in his resume and looks great in the ring. On skills, I put him up there with anyone. I disagree if you don't think he's special.
I don't get too hung up on 'world titles' in the modern era. Rocky Fielding was a world titlist for God's sakes
When you think of his enormous amateur career, he's not likely to get any better. So with less than 15 pro bouts, we have probably already seen the best of him - strange as it may sound. And what we have seen, looks pretty good, imo.
Yes, as skilled as he is we need to see every aspect of him Longevity, Weight moving, full résumé (which is massively underrated now), he'd be one of the best and maybe top 50 pfp if he beats Tank, Garcia, Lopez and Taylor. If he moves up and gets two more belts and beats an elite Welterweight and gets a title there then he is definitely an ATG
His amateur record alone lets anyone who is serious about the sport know the man is phenomenally gifted. His willingness to fight the best immediately as a pro only reaffirms his desire to be the best. Time is not on his side legacy wise. But he is already a hall of fame fighter. I think he needs wins over tank and Lopez to be a generational ATG. He also needs those fight now as I suspect he will soon decline within 1-2 years. You can’t fight 400 plus times as an amateur and in two olympics at his size and weight and have a very long optimal pro career.
Yes. Loma's best wins right now are Gary Russell, Nicholas Walters and a 40 year old bantam weight, the rest of his resume is made up of 2nd tier fighters who in any other era would barely be top 10 in their weight division, it's not Loma's fault that he turned pro at a time when the 130, 135 and 140 talent pools are thin but it is what it is. A special talent but he's beaten no one of note yet, Garcia, Davis and perhaps a move up to 147 and then we can consider him an ATG.
A move to 147 is insane ^ he is already fully mature and dimensions are too small for that division. He already is fighting above his best weight as nobody can compete with him. A name that might be good is a catch weight fight with Leo Santa Cruz.
If as some are claiming he's one of the most talented fighters of all time then I don't think a move to 147 is insane. If fighters the calibre of Shawn Porter and Kell Brook can win titles in that division then surely the most gifted fighter since Roy Jones can do it too ??
I think it is to early to draw any major contrasts or overall rating/evaluation. But as far as his skill and what he has done, if you can’t see he is great or on par with other greats....well I just feel like we are not watching the same fights or watching them differently. He is a generational talent so to me in that regard he is on par with greats of other generations and/or eras.
Pacquaio was a drained teenager when he began his career, Lomachenko is what 31? His body is fully developed he would not be able to carry the weight nearly as well.
Did he win 13 world title fights in 3 different weight classes, and counting and achieve a #1 pound for pound stats? I think Lomo can win a belt at 147. He's that good, but think he's best where he is now, maybe jr welter a bit later. If you haven't seen his last fight, its a KO of the year,. Let's give props to his opponent who fought back and went out on his shield with the cost being a swan dive face first into the canvas.
I believe his body and frame are already filled out. His dimensions imo would not handle significant weight increases beyond his current division. Besides I think he has some good matchups in tank and Lopez and Santa Cruz and the guy who just got hurt that Crolla subbed in for right around his weight. No need to jump to 147 right now with those fights possible. As for Jones we all know as gifted as he was he increased his size with steroids.