Loma was an active 3-division champion that fought 2/3 times a year with names like Rusell Jr, Walters, Rigo, Linares, Luke Campbell, and Kambosos. He had everything he needed to be launched into all-time territory, until 2020 came the downfall of it, what caused it?
I think the Loma hype machine went into overdrive from 2016-2019 and while he grew his fan base, he also developed a group of dedicated haters. When the Lopez loss occurred, the haters came out in force. COVID and age stalled a quick comeback. The Haney loss gave more ammo to the dedicated haters. Overall Loma is an ATG and will be discussed with reverence in decades to come. He is a unique fighter who set out to accomplish something unique, and mostly succeeded.
Covid, Lopez, wasting years of his career by being inactive and fighting mediocre opposition, and the Haney decision. Simple as that.
To be fair to Loma, at 126 and 130 who was really willing to fight him? The move to 135 represented that a little bit,
I'd actually argue that Loma has done his best work at Lightweight. Russell aside, his 126 was genuinely abysmal, and Walters aside, I'm not that impressed with his 130 run either. Pedraza, Linares, Commey and Kambosos is a better overall bunch than the guys he faced in lower weights.
I 100% agree his body of work at 135 is his best work, but I never liked the move up, his 126 and 130 runs would've been better had he stayed. His slow starting ways were even worse at LW and it caused his losses.
I think it’s the way he lost to Teo. He seemed scared of his power and didn’t want it the way Usyk wanted it against a Joshua and Fury.
Still in it for me. So annoying he got robbed in America. Boxing doesn't allow some people to be great if they aren'y born in the right country. He should have Haney's 0
What do you mean Nah? Berchelt was the real champion at 130, the strongest champ at the time and Lomachenko ignored him. Don't rate Berchelt based off his performance against Valdez when he was weight drained and past it. When Berchelt was at his best he was a better version of Salido and the Chenko's new that.
The Berchelt that best Vargas and Miura was nearly unstoppable. I really don't think Lomachenko could deal with a fighter like that.
But his style isn’t really comparable to Salido. Salido is a true pro where he will do anything to win a fight vs Berchelt was not a dirty fighter. I agree Berchelt was a better fighter than anyone Loma fought at 130 tho.
