A three weight world champion and widely regarded as one of the greatest fighters since the turn of the millennium, it would take a brave man to accuse Vasiliy Lomachenko of ducking anyone.
However, one of the Ukrainian’s rivals at lightweight has came out and done exactly that, claiming the amateur standout turned pound-for-pound pro turned down a career high pay day rather than fight him.
On a recent edition of Million Dollaz Worth of Game, Shakur Stevenson put ‘Loma’ on blast for electing not to fight him for the WBC lightweight world title.
“Lomachenko was offered the most money in his career to fight me. Why not fight me?”
“Towards the end of your career, why not take the most money to fight, in one of the biggest fights in boxing? Why not?”
After reports of undisputed 135lbs champion Devin Haney moving up to super lightweight, the WBC were set to order Stevenson and Lomachenko to compete for the soon to be vacant belt, in what would have been one of the highest skilled match-ups to be made in the sport.
However, Lomachenko’s team announced he would not be taking the fight and that he planned to take a break from the sport following his defeat to Haney back in May.
The WBC then ordered Stevenson vs fellow American Frank Martin – however he and his team also soon withdrew from the fight.
It looks to be a case of third time’s a charm for Newark southpaw Stevenson, with a fight against Dominican contender Edwin De Los Santos believed to be wrapped up for the vacant title and set for November 16.