For me ring rust isn't an excuse, it's a way to lose and a training failure (and it's a big part of why he lost the way he did). He was gun shy and out of rhythm, and that's the worst for his style. He either needed more sparring in camp or a tune up fight. But the way Lopez looked if he did his usual thing he may have just gotten knocked out. Still favor him over almost anyone at 135 and we know he can come back from a loss. I think the idea he's in decline is overblown.
I'd say no... But he did look tiny in there next to Lopez.... Should probably accept lightweight was his limit and go back down Oh and if his plan was to give away the first 7 rounds then that was a god awful gameplan
Power ****ing matters. All the skills in the world go out the window if you are gun shy of the heat. Tonights fight was eye opening for me.
It was tactical failure. Loma (and the team) took much time to find Lopez's weakness and forget about scoring points. And he doesn't want to take risk at all of getting hit by Teo's big punches. He doesn't want to involve in exchange. If he has more courage in earlier rounds and push himself to infight, he should have realized earlier that he actually can take those shots. Yes, power does matter. Loma should have known that when he took this fight. I still think Loma to be better fighter than Lopez. But the better fighter doesn't always win.
As always it will be a maelstrom of factors. I've long considered Lomachenko the most oelver rated fighter in recent times. I mean he's amazing, world class and undoubtedly elite. But people have mentioned him as the most skilled fighter in all history, they've said he would destroy guys like Armstrong, Pep, Duran and Whitaker. He's never been worthy of such praise imo. The potential to realise that praise has been there, the loss to Salido was close and early in his career, I've allowed that he might well go on to be as good as people think, the rest of the time he's dominated everyone and beaten everyone in front of him. But losing tonight just brings that level of hype to a screeching halt. This was supposed to be a mismatch, a routine victory for Loma and another opponent to be derided as not good enough. Maybe, maybe Loma avengers the loss and racks up some more big wins. But time isn't on his side, his resume now looks a bit thin and his two losses are now right under the spotlight. It might, just might be that Loma isn't as good as we thought he was. Lopez is the better fighter and the deserved victor.
Might be, but it's hard to say. He was obviously hesitant for more than half the fight but that just might be because of Lopez so who knows. I think if he doesn't push for a rematch then he himself knows he lost to a better man.
I think your post is very fair. Loma is elite and P4P very good. But it is silly to compare guys to all time greats so early in thier careers. Boxing legacy and history should be done during the tail end of your career not in the middle of it.
Except he didn't look tiny. These excuses are laughable. Loma is 5'7, and a powerfully built guy. He looked like a lightweight, fighting another lightweight.
Except he didn't and it isn't an excuse is it.. Teo deserved his win ... He also looked a few weights above him.. Lomachenko looks small at lightweight and I've thought so since the linares fight
Maybe they heard the legend of how Willie Pep won a round without throwing a punch, and wanted to replicate it
