Lomachenko Stops Linares to Win Lightweight Title

By David Martinez / dmboxing.com

On Saturday, May 12, 2018 at Madison Square Garden, New York, Vasyl Lomachenko of the Ukraine made boxing history by becoming the fastest fighter to win three world titles in a record twelfth bout, winning the WBA lightweight championship in a 10th round TKO over defending champion Jorge Linares of Venezuela. The bout was aired live on ESPN.

Lomachenko (11-1 / 9 by KO) had to come off the deck, as Linares (44-4 / 27 by KO) dropped him late in round six with a perfect straight right hand.

This was the most anticipated bout to date in boxing and when two great fighters like these meet, it can develop into a fast, action packed fight – which is exactly what happened.

Lomachenko, moving up in weight, was the smaller of the two, with Linares the bigger and stronger.  It was evident to this writer, however, that the difference in the fight was the quickness of Lomachenko.

I had Linares winning round one before Lomachenko would start to turn up the heat. Late in the sixth round Linares, fighting from the outside, caught Lomachenko coming in with that right hand, dropping him to the canvas; everyone was as surprised as Lomachenko. 

However, the knockdown proved to be a turning point in the fight. Lomachenko came back, not letting Linares develop any rhythm.  Linares fought well enough, though, to make the fight close.

In round ten Lomachenko, after losing round nine, came back brilliantly and landed a beautifully timed left to the liver, dropping Linares.  To his credit, the Venezuelan got to his feet, barely, but was a beaten fighter and the referee wisely halted the match at 2:08 of the round.

At the time of the stoppage the judges were mixed in scoring:  86-84 Lomachenko; 85-85 a draw; and 86-85 Linares. My card was 86-84 Lomachenko.

It was a great fight and certainly a candidate for Fight of the Year.

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