Bob Arum has laid very special praise indeed on the current pound for pound king Vasyl Lomachenko, comparing him to ‘The Greatest’ Muhammad Ali.
Ahead of Lomachenko’s lightweight title defense against Anthony Crolla on Friday night, Arum revealed his notion to WBN that the formidable Ukrainian is unbeatable at 135 pounds.
Lomachenko has reigned supreme in every division he’s competed in. Even since suffering a shock setback against Orlando Salido in just his second fight.
Giving away hydration weight to the wily veteran, Lomachenko lost at the featherweight limit.
Unfazed by the reverse, Lomachenko has won all eleven bouts since. ‘Loma’ is rightly recognized as the best on the planet.
Airing his experienced view, Arum mentioned Lomachenko in the same breath as boxing immortality.
“He’s the greatest technical fight I’ve seen since the vintage Muhammad Ali,” The Top Rank boss exclusively explained to World Boxing News. “When Ali was fighting guys like Brian London, Henry Cooper and Karl Mildenberger, the technical ability of Ali was off the charts.
“Now this guy, there’s no fighter we have seen that compares in technical ability to Lomachenko.”
On the Crolla mandatory fight, Arum added: “The reason I like the Crolla fight is that Crolla is a brave guy who will push Lomachenko.
“The fans will get a very interesting fight. But frankly, as far as I’m concerned, there’s only winner in that fight and it’s Lomachenko.
“I dont see any lightweight, any 135-lb fighter competing and beating Lomachenko.”
LOPEZ
Teofimo Lopez has been mentioned as a potential suitor to Lomachenko’s crown, although plans to move up to 140 by 2020.
This gives Lomachenko a small window of opportunity for a fight Arum refused to promise will happen anytime soon..
“We’ll have to see what this young guy who’s on the card can do. Let’s see how he develops in the next year. Maybe he can be competitive but we’ll have to see.
“The one thing I can say about that night is that I dont see Crolla beating Lomachenko,” he added.
Phil Jay is Editor of World Boxing News. Follow on Twitter @PhilDJay
