Boxing (10-17-2020)
Oct. 17: Las Vegas, Nevada -- Vasiliy Lomachenko vs. Teofimo Lopez Jr., 12 rounds, for Lomachenko's WBO and WBA lightweight titles and Lopez's IBF lightweight title.
Most of the boxing community considers this to be 2020's "Fight of the Year," and, at least on paper, it will be exactly that. In a year where the Great Sport has been restricted by the virus, it is important that such a high-quality bout be broadcast on ESP/ ESPN+.
My children have gotten me into watching MMA on ESPN/ESPN+ frequently this year. There are intense athletes in the sport, and I have nothing but respect for them. Tough, tough men and women in an exciting sport that has solid cards being promoted weekly. Admittedly, I am no "expert" when it comes to this sport, but it both a blast to watch, and has helped those of us experiencing withdrawal from the lack of boxing.
Loma, 32 years old, stands 5'7", and has a 65.5 inch reach; Lopez is 23 years old, stands 5'8", and has a 68.5 inch reach. Loma is a southpaw, and Lopez orthodox. Loma won his first world title in his third professional fight; Lopez started collecting minor titles in his 11th fight, and won the IBF world title in his 15th bout as a pro.
Loma's record is 14 - 1, with 10 KO victories; Lopez is 15-0, with 12 KO victories. Loma's lone loss was in his second fight, against Orlando Salido, by split-decision. The bout was for a minor title, which Salido did not win due to coming in significantly overweight.
Lopez is the naturally bigger man, and will no doubt move up from the lightweight division as he matures. Loma started at featherweight, and eventually moved up to lightweight.
Many in the boxing community consider Loma the best pound-for-pound fighter today. He is unique in being an aggressive counter-puncher, similar to the great Manny Pacquiao in his younger days. Like Pac-Man, Loma has great footwork, allowing him to attack -- and retreat -- at angles. While not blessed with Manny's natural punching power, Loma's ability to connect with punches his opponent does not see coming, and his effective body-punching, generally result in knockout victories.
Lopez is an aggressive fighter, with serious hand speed that allows him to deliver very hard punches. There is no question that he can hurt anyone he hits, and that he has one-punch knockout power.
In what looks to be a close match-up on paper, I tend to consider "punch stats." Both men have landed a bit over 35% of the punches they throw per round, though Loma throws more -- an average of 60+ per round, to Lopez's 47+ per round. Of course, this doesn't factor in the reduction of time per round if there is either a knockdown or knockout. But it does suggest that it will be an exciting fight.
Loma throws more jabs per round, and slightly more power shots and body punches. They have about equal percentages landed in power shots, but Loma has a significantly higher average of landing his jab. It's worth noting that the jab is generally recognized as being important to land in order to deliver all other punches.
Some critics have noted that Lopez struggled two fights ago, though he pulled out the victory. I tend to agree with Teddy Atlas, who recently said that experience will make Lopez better. I keep in mind that Ali struggled with Doug Jones, then was decked by Henry Cooper, in his two fights before upsetting Sonny Liston.
Likewise, some point out that Loma appears to have lost a half-step in his last two bouts. He had a long, very successful amateur career before turning pro, and so he has far more laps around the track than his pro record indicates.
This should be an outstqanding fight. It could end quickly -- really at any time -- or it could go the full twelve rounds. I'm hoping for a clear, clean outcome, without any cuts from butts, fouls, or questionable scoring. Enjoy the fight!
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