They might get knocked out or they might lose by lopsided unanimous decision, but they don't quit no matter how much they're outmatched. That's basically what Lomachenko did to Rigondeaux on national television.īoxers don't quit. It was like watching boxing's version of that scene in "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" where the sacrifice victim gets his heart ripped out of his body. While many casual fans tuned into Saturday's card after the Heisman Trophy ceremony hoping to watch a knockout, what they saw was far more impressive. It was the same helpless feeling Miguel Marriaga, Jason Sosa and Nicholas Walters felt when their fights were stopped because of a corner retirement. Rigondeaux claims he injured his hand and felt some discomfort beginning in the second round, but he knew the fight was over as he sat in his corner after the sixth round. He was undisputedly one of the greatest pound-for-pound boxers on the planet, and Lomachenko completely outclassed him and forced him to be the fourth consecutive opponent to retire in the corner between rounds. He was, like Lomachenko, a double Olympic Gold medal-winner and had a staggering 463-12 record as an amateur. Rigondeaux had won all 17 of his professional fights and was unbeaten in the ring since 2003 going into Saturday. It's hard to be a casual fan of boxing and truly appreciate what Lomachenko was able to do Saturday night and what he has done over his past four fights. "I want big fights, I want big names," Lomachenko said. He breaks a smile for the occasional selfie with a guest and waves down at fans packing the bar below him, but he wants more than this. He looks like he could take over for Daniel Craig and be the next James Bond or at least Bond's Ukrainian archenemy in the next Bond film. Truth be told, he doesn't really look like a boxer at all. There isn't a single blemish on his face or a limp in his step. Maybe it is for people who love boxing but not me."Īs Lomachenko walks around the second floor of the pub, he doesn't look like he has just been through a six-round boxing match in front of a sold-out crowd at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. "It's not a big win," Lomachenko said after arguably the biggest win of his career. As guests shower him with compliments and praise for his performance, he simply nods his head and says, "Yes" as if it was nothing more than a fait accompli. As guests at his after-party hand him tickets, scarfs and gloves to sign, he rarely breaks a smile.ĭespite walking to the pub after a dominating victory over Guillermo Rigondeaux, one of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters in the world, Lomachenko isn't happy. His father and trainer, Anatoly, is sitting to his left, and his manager, Egis Klimas, is sitting in front of him. and Vasiliy Lomachenko is sitting at a corner table on the second floor of Jack Doyle's, a popular Irish pub two blocks north of Madison Square Garden. 'No Mas Chenko' is not just a regular fighter You have reached a degraded version of because you're using an unsupported version of Internet Explorer.įor a complete experience, please upgrade or use a supported browser
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |