The number one lightweight and arguably pound for pound fighter in the world landed at the historic York Hall, Bethnal Green, East London tonight. And so he did ! In front of an unprecedented public turnout Vasiliy Lomachenko shadow boxed, used his famous baseball cap and ball training method and juggled in front of Londoners waving Ukrainian flags and chanting “Loma, Loma”.
Returning to the city of his second Olympic gold medal and the same venue he won in 2014 in the World Boxing Series as an amateur Loma again captured the hearts of London boxing fans. Just days away from the defence of his lightweight titles against Britain’s Luke Campbell on the Matchroom and Top Rank promotion at the Greenwich O2 Arena the Ukrainian champion has shown that he has many fans in the UK and Campbell will not have all the support on the night.
In an intriguing fight between two former elite amateurs and London 2012 gold medalists the sell out fight will give the opportunity for Loma to showcase his unique and considerable skills or, provide the opportunity for the Brit to win a professional title, and in doing so, shock the boxing world. The stage is set but tonight showed that in the eyes of the British fight fans Lomachenko has truly arrived and is one for them to cherish on their shores on Saturday night.
Robert Harding – 28/8/19
The Undisputed 