Despite strong rumours, the potential super fight between Vasyl Lomachenko and Manny Pacquiao will not happen this year according to the Ukrainian boxer himself.
2017 was a fun year but 2018 you will see a even better me. You all will see me add some new belts to my collection. Happy New Year everyone! pic.twitter.com/N780d4QYIU
— LOMA (@VasylLomachenko) January 1, 2018
Pacquiao has expressed a great deal of interest in fighting Lomachenko but the WBO World super featherweight champion will not bite despite the lucrative offer.
“I was amazed when they offered me to fight Manny Pacquiao, it became interesting. He is a legend, a big name and a top fighter,” said Lomachenko according to World Boxing News.
One of the reasons for Lomachenko turning down the fight was the weight but there were other factors at play as well.
“The only question is which weight category the fight could take place in. The Filipino belongs up to the light-middleweight division (up to 66.7 kg), while I only try to switch to lightweight (up to 61.2). If I go for light-middleweight, it will be irrational and illogical – at least in terms of physiology,” explained Lomachenko.
The message from Lomachenko is clear. He wants to face relevant fighters that represent this day and age and to him – Pacquiao does not qualify as one.
“I am not going to accept the fight this year. However, if the bout takes place next year, they’ll just tell me I sent the old man to someone else’s weight category.
“There are many champions in my weight division, and I’m going to continue my career in this direction. Modern boxing, modern name,” stated the Ukrainian.
A fight against a name like Pacquiao would be a guaranteed pay day for both fighters in terms of revenue and income. Alongside fighting Lomachenko, the former WBO World welterweight champion is interested in boxing Conor McGregor as well but both fights are not even close to happening.
The Ukrainian explains it’s not about the money for him.
“If I decide to finish my career tomorrow, I am not going to ask some guy from a lower weight category to conduct the farewell fight. It’s good money, but that’s not why I’m fighting,” told ‘Loma.’
The former eight-weight world champion is looking for a big super fight after the disappointing loss against Horn but Lomachenko will not be the one giving it to him.
“Me and my father, we both just know it (fighting Pacquiao) will not give me anything,” summarised Lomachenko.
Arguably the number one pound-for-pound fighter in boxing, ‘Hi-Tech’ is currently on an impressive winning streak during which he has overwhelmed every opponent since his only loss to Orlando Salido in 2014. In December Lomachenko made veteran Cuban boxer Guillermo Rigondeaux quit on his stool before the seventh round.
This year ‘NoMaschenko’ might potentially move up to lightweight and challenge the likes of Mikey Garcia and Jorge Linares. He has also mentioned potentially taking part in the upcoming new World Boxing Super Series tournament which will introduce smaller weight classes.
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