VASYL LOMACHENKO must be the best boxer with a 3-1 record in the world today. The two-time Olympic gold medallist raced to win the WBO featherweight in only his third professional fight. He took on unknown Thai Chonlartan Piriyapinyo in Macau for his first title defence on the undercard of Manny Pacquiao-Chris Algieri.
The Ukrainian cycled round him, as Piriyapinyo found it hard to lay a glove on him. Lomachenko’s defensive movement alone was too much and in the fourth round Vasyl floored him with a vicious attack. The bell to end the session saved Piriyapinyo.
But in the sixth round Lomachenko damaged his left hand – his southpaw power punch. From then on he threw the left sparingly, using it to feint, tap at and worry the Thai, while contenting himself with trying to break down a sturdier than expected Piriyapinyo with right hooks. Not that Lomachenko ever surrendered control of a round. Thai made some gallant charges, caught him with an inconsequential shot at times but the Ukrainian won 120-107 on all three cards.
Lomachenko expects to fight Nicholas Walters next summer. He wants to unify the featherweight division. “I only want to fight champions from now on,” he declared.
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