COULD Vasyl Lomachenko and Guillermo Rigondeaux be on a collision course? Both were amateur greats and double Olympic gold medallists. Both raced to professional world titles, especially quickly in Lomachenko’s case.
Rigondeaux holds multiple world titles at super-bantam, Lomachenko is the WBO featherweight champ. The Cuban though isn’t quite willing to move all the way up to Lomachenko’s division.
Rigondeaux’s manager, Gary Hyde issue a statement saying they wanted the fight at an 124lbs catchweight, adding, “We would insist on a rehydration clause of 135 pounds for fight night. If [Lomachenko’s manager, Egis] Klimas agrees to this, then, we have a fight. Lomachenko is a masterful fighter like ‘Rigo’ and this match- up will be a classic. We have a pair of two-time Olympic gold medalists and current world champions going at it. I believe ‘Rigo’ is the more ferocious of the two fighters and I firmly believe ‘Rigo’ will dominate Lomachenko. Klimas, you know what you must do to make the fight, just pick up the phone and call me. ‘Rigo’ is ready!”
These stipulations seem curious. Lomachenko boxed at lightweight in the latter years of his amateur career and has looked drawn when making the featherweight limit. It would be a surprise if he agreed to shed further weight.
