The current pound for pound number two and 2016 WBN Fighter of the Year was urged to accept a clash with the Filipino legend last week, although made the decision to rebuff the chance to share a ring with an all-time great.
Not only was the weight an issue, but the age gap between the two fighters, which Lomachenko fears would detract glory from any eventual victory against Pacquiao.
“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,” Lomachenko told boxing.ua.
“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.
“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 names.
“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.
“Me and my father, we both just know it (fighting Pacquiao) will not give me anything,” he concluded.
Pacquiao is on the lookout for an opponent following a highly controversial defeat to Jeff Horn last year, whilst Lomachenko continues to be linked with a move up in weight on the back of successful world title reigns at featherweight and super-featherweight respectively.
