MANILA, Philippines – Vasyl Lomachenko added a significant notch to his belt, outclassing Nicholas Walters until he quit on his stool following the seventh round to retain the WBO junior lightweight title on Saturday, November 26 (Sunday Manila time) at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Ukrainian Lomachenko (7-1, 5 knockouts), a two-time Olympic gold medalist, was another level above the Jamaican knockout puncher Walters (26-1-1, 21 KOs), who had made his name with a knockout win over Nonito Donaire Jr in 2014. Lomachenko used his southpaw boxing style to find the openings in Walters’ high guard early, moving his head and feet to put himself in angles where he could land but his opponent couldn’t.
Walters’ best round was the third, where he landed a few body punches before bringing a shot or two upstairs. Lomachenko picked up the pace in the fifth round, putting more pressure on him and forcing Walters back. By the seventh round Lomachenko was beating him up, and after the round he stood up and shook his head when asked if he wanted to continue fighting.
Lomachenko, 28, has several interesting fights to look forward to, including a rematch with Orlando Salido, the man who outpointed him in his second pro fight, or a move up in scales to face Manny Pacquiao as their mutual promoter Bob Arum has suggested. ? Rappler.com
