Boxing?s fictional pound-for-pound best list is one of the most subjective and debated topics in all of sports. Unlike other sports where, for the most part, you get to see the best athletes take on one another, boxing is separated by weight classes and, to a certain degree, politics.
While fighters like Gennady Golovkin, Sergey Kovalev, Roman Gonzalez and others jockey for position atop the list with the retirement of Floyd Mayweather, there is one fighter who might be better than them all despite only having five professional fights and losing one of them.
Many believe Vasyl Lomachenko is already one of the best fighters in the world. (AP) Widely regarded as the greatest amateur boxer in history with a claimed record of 396-1, Vasyl Lomachenko has captured Olympic gold medals for the Ukraine in 2008 and 2012 and world amateur championships in 2009 and 2011. He turned pro in 2013 and matched Saensak Muangsurin?s record by winning a world title in just his third professional fight by defeating the highly touted Gary Russell Jr.
No, he?s not undefeated as he dropped a decision to a heavier Orlando Salido in his second pro bout. But aside from that blemish ? which had its own fair share of controversy ? Lomachenko has been spectacular. On Saturday night he will defend his WBO featherweight title against Romulo Koasicha in the co-featured bout of HBO?s telecast of Timothy Bradley vs. Brandon Rios.
Another victory is expected and conversations about whether Lomachenko deserves a place on the pound-for-pound list will heat up. But if you ask the 27-year-old, he doesn?t believe he?s earned a spot on that list ? yet.
?The way I see it, to get on the pound-for-pound list, you need to beat at least five champions or five big names,? Lomachenko told Yahoo Sports through a translator. ?Right now, I can say that I only have one bout where I can put myself into the discussion. That bout was against Gary Russell Jr. The rest of my fights won?t count on that list, so I don?t see myself right now on the pound-for-pound list because I haven?t beaten anybody yet.?
[Play Yahoo Daily Fantasy and get a 100% deposit bonus with your first deposit]
But don?t blame Lomachenko because he has been adamant about facing elite competition and proving that he is the best fighter in the world. But for one reason or another, the top names just don?t seem interested in facing him. A highly anticipated showdown with unbeaten Cuban tactician Guillermo Rigondeaux, who won Olympic gold medals at the 2000 and 2004 games, went up in smoke after negotiations fell apart as did a fight with the heavy-handed Nicolas Walters, who appears to no longer be able to make the featherweight limit. He?s heard fellow 126-pound world champions Lee Selby and Russell Jr. call him out, but nothing has materialized. And frankly, Lomachenko is sick of the talk. He just wants to fight.
?I can say I want to fight [Manny] Pacquiao and Mayweather, but that doesn?t mean those fights are going to happen,? Lomachenko said. ?These [other featherweight] fighters are probably hiding behind their managers and promoters to not fight me. I am used to it. So to all of you, shut your mouth or do what you are saying you want to do. Stop hiding behind your managers and fight me.?
That?s what fighters who want to be the best are supposed to do.
