2-time Olympic champion and a 2-weight world champion in the professional rankings, Vasyl ‘Hi-Tech’ Lomachenko has discussed his upcoming showdown with arguably the most seasoned campaigner in the lightweight division in Jorge Linares.
Linares boasts a stellar record of 44-3 and will put his WBA world lightweight title on the line when he takes on the pound-for-pound superstar Ukraninan.
“I wanted to go up to the next weight category, 135 pounds, and fight only champions.”
“Jorge Linares was available for this moment. That’s why I wanted a fight with him.”
Media day 📸#lomalinarespic.twitter.com/OCs1lcxkCk
— LOMA (@VasylLomachenko) April 24, 2018
“I was asked if I wanted to fight Linares. It took me less than two seconds to accept the challenge.”
“I wanted to go up to the next weight category, 135 pounds, and fight only champions. Jorge Linares was available for this moment. That’s why I wanted a fight with him.”
Lomachenko says he responded to the possibility of fighting Linares instantly and says he is looking forward to fighting a bigger man and wants to experience how Rigondeaux felt when he battled him in his most recent fight.
“I was asked if I wanted to fight Linares. It took me less than two seconds to accept the challenge.”
“For me, it’s a big challenge because, before this fight, I fought against guys who were the same size or a little bit smaller than me. Now, I want to feel the way Rigondeaux felt when he fought me.
“He was smaller than I at that point. I am going to be smaller than my opponents now. I want to show people it’s not a big problem, that five pounds is not too big of a difference.”
— LOMA (@VasylLomachenko) April 22, 2018
Additionally, Lomachenko discussed the legacy he is trying to build.
“It’s the next step in my boxing history. We’re talking about my career. I built a ladder, and when I finish my boxing career, I want my ladder to be very strong and long.”
Linares has been very vocal about his chances coming into this matchup, but Lomachenko is taking no notice instead of waiting to listen what he has to say at the post-fight press conference following the fight.
“I like it. Before the fight, all boxers talk trash, but after the fight, nobody comes to the press conference. After this fight, I want to see Jorge Linares at the press conference, and I want to hear what he has to say.”
Who’s ready for May 12th? Thanks to all who have bought tickets. 🤖#LomaLinarespic.twitter.com/qY2t3akLQ0
— LOMA (@VasylLomachenko) April 21, 2018
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