Gary Russell vs. Vasyl Lomachencko

I'd say Lomachenko by a wide UD or maybe even stoppage depending on Russell's punch resistance.

 

Russell via disputed decision.

 

If Lomachenko can't stop GRJ within 6 rounds I'll have to seriously re-evaluate my opinion on Lomachenko, that would be a fail in my eyes. I see this as an entertaining match up but not a competitive one.
Lomachenko needs to get that pre-2009 ****iness and fire back, he's too humble and chill at the moment imo. We've seen glimpses of it since (Valentino in the WSB) but I want to see showboating and domination, he looked his best when he was doing his Roy Jones impression.

 

The guy (Loma) who 'lost' against Salido looked nothing like the same guy who lost to Selimov in 07'. I think Loma either saw this as move as purely an 'ambitious project' or he hasn't been as passionate. Given his best years were in 2008 and 2009 IMO, it can be a little puzzling.

 

They guy against Salido looked a lot different from the guy we saw just a year ago in this bout:

[url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVbPSZedYd4[/url]

I think Loma bought into the hype about the pro game being different and paced himself too much, I think we'll see the aggressive infighter who turns it on from the start in the future.

 

I'm talking more about, Lomachenko being in tears after the loss, even crying his heart out on the podium when he got the silver medal in 07'. But he showed his grit in the 12th round. The thing that annoys me is that Anatoly was telling him to pick up the pace, quite a few times in the fight, but Loma was being far too careful. If Loma is to gas out a bit by the 10th round, then so be it. Loma becoming great will ironically make him more susceptible to getting KO'd as he has to be that aggressive dude generally.

That is one of my favourite performances ever. Watched it at least 15 times over the past year.

A few things Loma has to tweak, even if he does have his pacing down.

 

it's going be a glorified amateur fight....boring decision

 

Russell is going for the quick KO.

KO before being KO'ed is his motto.

 

Russell reminds me of Berto. Fast hands, slow reaction. They give the illusion of being slick when they're not slick at all. Lomachenko should decision him easily.

 

He's just too stationary IMO and his defense ain't great either, that will be his downfall in this fight, he won't be able to keep up with Lomachenko's movement.

 

What happened with 10 of the complete bums he's fought then? Andre Ward was 19-0 (11KO), GRJ was 19-0 (11KO). Your boy is featherfisted and couldn't knock Lomachenko out if he had has eyes closed and gave him a free shot. And he sure as hell can't outbox the greatest amateur of all time. What's he going to do? He's not going to come in 10 pounds heavier, low blow and get away with it with his own personal ref, and face Loma the first time he's going 12.... how is GRJ headed for anything other than an asskicking?
The last decent opponent GRJ fought was as an amateur, when he lost 16-6 to Vodopiyanov. The same Vodpiyanov Lomachenko fought twice - stopped him then beat him 12-1 in the '09 World final. :-( It's not going to be pretty for GRJ.

 

It's ok to be light fisted. Russell, like Mayweather has soft hands. Both damage their hands alot so it isn't a surprise that neither fully commits to their punches trying to protect their hands.

Still, both punch with adequate authority, accuracy and timing to gain respect from their opponents.

Another thing Russell is not is a dancer. So far, I have yet to see him clinch and dance with an opponent for half the fight.

No one cares what Loma did in the amateurs. That was in a totally different life. This is the Pros.

Loma's face isn't going to be pretty anymore after this fight. He'll most likely be crying again during the post fight interview: record 1-2

 

Loma will stop GR.

 

Loma has done more in the pros as well. Which isn't hard, because GRJ has done precisely nothing. This may as well be GRJ' pro debut and he's going to get a beating.