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Jorge Linares: Lomachenko ‘not a difficult fight for me’

Written by Keeran Rajan on 27th December 2017.

The slick technician and lightweight divisional kingpin, Jorge ‘El Niño de Oro’ Linares has spoken very confidently about a potential fight against the pound-for-pound titleholder Vasyl Lomachenko.

Linares is one of the most seasoned champions in the lower weight classes and boasts a record of 43-3, 27 KOs.

He is next scheduled to fight on January 27th in California.

His opponent will be Mercito Gesta and Linares will look to make the third defence of his WBA and Lineal RING magazine world titles.

Sizing up the challenge the almost superhuman Lomachenko possesses, it is fair to say Linares isn’t quite as impressed as the rest of us.

“I like that fight, Lomachenko is a good fighter. I have a lot of respect for him but it’s not a difficult fight for me;” Linares said.

Sizing up the Ukrainian, The Venezuelan champion believes stylistically they are similar but Lomachenko’s lack of one punch power bodes well for him.

“We’re very similar. He has good legs, very fast and quick but he doesn’t have power. I like that style maybe it’s better for me.”

Linares also took a shot at Lomachenko’s fighting style saying it is not suited to the professional game that Linares is so seasoned in after 46 professional fights.

“He’s an Olympian, it’s a different style. Not a professional style but it’s good if he came to Lightweight.”

Another potential super-fight which could be on the agenda for Linares could be against the hard punching Mikey Garcia.

Garcia is now campaigning at the weight of 140 lbs but Linares says he’d be willing to stay at the lightweight limit of 135 lbs. A sacrifice ‘The Golden Boy’ will make to secure a fight against Lomachenko happen in 2018.

“I’d stay at Lightweight for this fight. [If we fought] it would be an amazing fight for next year.”

https://twitter.com/boxnationtv/status/944132217801969664

Additionally, Mercito Gesta who takes on Linares on January 27th spoke very confidently about his chances going into their upcoming showdown.

“I was a training partner of Linares. Although he has improved I know him well.”

“He knows how to move, how to box, but has visited the canvas. We are working on a plan to be able to come out with the victory,” concluded the Filipino.

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