The WBA world lightweight world champion, Jorge Linares is in Japan at this present moment in time.
He has been there for a while now but on Sunday he officially began his training camp for his next fight on May 12th.
That fight is very likely to be against the WBO super-featherweight world champion and 2x Olympic Gold medal sensation, Vasyl Lomachenko.
The deal has been at a sticking point so far with Jorge Linares being contractually tied to HBO for his next fight.
Jorge Linares training in Japan. #boxingpic.twitter.com/zicgolqGzT
— Boxing News (@BoxingNewsED) March 5, 2018
HBO did not want the fight to occur on that date.
The reason? it would clash with one of their biggest shows of the year in the form of the first Canelo – Golovkin II replay the week after their Cinco De Mayo weekend.
However, Top Rank mogul who handles Lomachenko will look to stage the event as an ESPN PPV production on the same date.
It helps that Arum enjoys a good working relationship with Linares’ lead promoter, Akihiko Honda of Teiken Boxing Promotions.
The Ukranian 2-weight world champion, Vasyl Lomachenko has found criticism in some quarters that despite looking sensational, he has been fighting opponents who are physically overmatched.
Details on talks between @JorgeLinares and @VasylLomachenko toward May 12 lightweight championship fight #LinaresLomahttps://t.co/HFOGWUejHI
— Bible of Boxing (@ringmagazine) February 9, 2018
Lomachenko’s answer to the situation will be him bidding to move up to the 135 lbs limit and aim to capture a third world title.
‘El Niño de Oro‘ also known as ‘The Golden Boy’ Jorge Linares shared his admiration for Lomachenko’s skillset but says it will be a different scenario when ‘Hi-Tech’ steps in the squared circle and stands opposite an opponent of his calibre.
“Vasyl Lomachenko is a fast and excellent and admirable fighter, but when Lomachenko puts on the gloves and gets in the same ring with me – it will be different and things will not be the same as they were before [with his other opponents],” Linares said.
“He will not be able to box like that with me.”
https://twitter.com/boxnationtv/status/958669815429857281
“I would like to fight with Vasyl Lomachenko above everything else and at all costs.”
“Our styles of boxing are similar, and I’m not even thinking about Lomachenko being younger than me. Our fight will be a big attraction.”
READ MORE:
Mikey Garcia becomes a 4-weight world champion after decision win against Sergey Lipinets
Oscar Valdez overcomes Scott Quigg in an enthralling encounter