An absolute classic match up that you can only dream about takes place next weekend when two of the greatest amateur boxers of all time and current pound for pound professional claimants go head to head in Madison Square Garden next weekend, Saturday 9th December.
Cuban exile Guillermo Rigondeaux, the king of the super bantamweight division, moves up two divisions to super featherweight to take on the best in that division the unbelievable talent of Vasyl Lomachenko from the Ukraine.
An extraordinary fight against two amazing talented fighters as amateurs both won two world titles and two Olympic gold medals making them two of the best ever in the amateur sport. As professionals, both have won world titles and lead their respected divisions.
Lomachenko is a two weight champion picking up his first belt in only his third fight at featherweight then after three defences moving up two take the WBO super featherweight title in his seventh contest beating men like Gary Russel Jr, Roman Martinez and Nicholas Walters along the way.
Rigondeaux has been much avoided in his eight years as a pro picking up the WBA super bantamweight title in his ninth fight with a 6th round knockout of previously unbeaten Rico Ramos in 2012 and has defended it successfully eight times beating the excellent Nonito Donaire in a tough unification bout.
The only blemish on either record was a points loss for Lomachenko when amazingly challenging for a world title in only his second ever outing as a professional taking on the 11 pound heavier on the night Orlando Salido only to be outpointed by a split decision to the bigger man.
Lomachenko took the loss like the great professional he has become, regrouped and won the featherweight title in his next fight and not looked back, winning another division belt and winning his next eight.
So what happens when these two boxing titans meet?
It appears the bookies believe the obvious weight difference and the age difference as Lomachenko is a prime 29 years of age to 37 for the Cuban, is far too much a gap between these two warriors.
But Rigondeaux is no ordinary fighter, and although smaller he possesses the longer reach by two inches. He is smaller but can he use that to his advantage, as he did when knocking out unbeaten Moises Flores in 1 round in June this year, which was later called a no contest after Flores refused to get up claiming a late punch.
It is a fascinating fight that could potentially be a fight of the year blockbuster or nail biting chess match game of cat and mouse between two super talented fighters that could negate the others every move.
Do not be surprised by the weights at the 130lb weight for the super featherweight battle as there is also a 138lb clause set for 9 am the morning of the fight which will be the crucial gauge of the real differential in size for this epic match up, and remember Rigondeaux has been floored and Lomachenko looked hurt and bothered by body punches in his loss to Salido.
Both men are massively confident characters with a wealth of talent and experience and nothing would suprise me in this fight but I dont think this is by any means a foregone conclusion for the bigger younger Lomachenko. Rigondeaux will push him all the way in a not to be missed classic encounter.
Lomachenko in controversial split points win.
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Lomachenko: Fight With Rigondeaux Will Be Historic