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Ismael Salas to focus on Haye, Linares to take on Lomachenko without the trainer

Written by Keeran Rajan on 4th April 2018.

Venezuela’s Jorge Linares is just over a month away from the biggest fight of his career. ‘King Jorge’ will put his WBA world lightweight title on the line against who many consider the standout performer in the sport today in the form of 2 x Olympic Gold Medal winner Vasyl Lomachenko.

Nobody doubts Linares’ credentials as a champion. The 32-year-old has made four defences of his lineal and WBA title and has racked up a stellar record of 44-3 to cement his place as one of the standout combatants at the weight limit of 135 lbs.

Whatever happens on May 12th, we can be certain that Lomachenko will post threats unlike anyone will have posed against him in his professional career.

Reflecting on difficult times he has endured in the past, Linares has reflected on the period of uncertainty in his career some years ago when he suffered some losses.

“We went through difficult times in 2011 and 2012 when I lost those two fights against [Antonio] DeMarco and [Sergio] Thompson,” Linares recalled to Jad El Reda.

Linares shared that it is hard to take in how far he has come over the course of the six years that have followed.

The Venezuelan also suggested that his work ethic is now more enduring than it once was in his younger days.

“I never imagined that I would get up and I would be as I am today, almost six years without losing. We work very hard, I think I work harder now than when I started our career as a professional. ”

“After those defeats, I had to make changes, I adjusted to [trainer] Ismael Salas,” he said.

“We started making changes in my technique, in my punch and we started to see very good results that we have maintained up to now.

I changed my physical trainer, my food and so we were getting the results.”

Linares has also said he will put his 13 fight unbeaten streak on the line against Lomachenko.

He will go into battle without his renown trainer Ismael Salas as he has opted to stay in London and focus his attention on helping David Haye prepare for his May 5th rematch with Tony Bellew.

Linares was quick to add, however, that this doesn’t mean that they have parted ways on bad terms.

“I did not leave him, he did not leave me,” clarified Linares.

“We have the same friendship. He has not been in my corner for three fights since we’ve been together and it’s been the same result, I won.

A lot of people are worried that he will not be involved in this big fight.

All of the fights have been important for me, whether or not it’s Lomachenko, the important thing is to be victorious and know how to make a good preparation.”

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