‘Loma’ tasted a loss when challenging for a world title against the Mexican in 2014 but has since gone from strength to strength and built a fierce reputation as one of the most awesome fighters around.
On the other hand, Salido has won just two of his five contests since and was denied the opportunity to fight for the interim WBC super-featherweight title this weekend in Las Vegas.
As Lomachenko prepares to fight on the same night against Guillermo Rigondeaux in what could be a career-defining night, a rematch with Salido is not at the forefront of the Ukrainian’s mind for the immediate aftermath.
“I don’t think he’s going to fight me because he already found himself a good excuse. He’s been saying, “I don’t need this bout. Lomachenko needs this bout. So because Lomachenko needs this bout you need to pay me good money.” That is just his excuse and Salido is nobody now,” said Lomachenko.
On whether he’ll bypass Salido completely and move up should he come through ‘Rigo’ this weekend, Lomachenko added: “I already said that I am ready to fight at 130 or 135, but that is not my job.
“Whoever is going to be put in front of me I will fight. It is not my job to organize the bouts. It is not my job to choose opponents.
“My promoters organize the bouts and whoever they put in front of me I am ready to fight at 130 or 135. I never passed on any of the bouts and I never passed on any of the opponents.”
Promoter Bob Arum then gave his view by saying: “Whether he’ll go up to 135 after this fight we’ll see.
“I know we have a tremendous offer for Loma to fight in Australia against Paul Fleming who will be fighting on December 13 and of course ultimately some time next year you’ll see Loma fighting for the lightweight championship of the world.”
Despite the back and forth insults, the general consensus that a second helping would be sought out by Lomachenko should both have their hands raised in a few days time.
