by Cliff Rold

Two down, two to go.

That’s the hope for lightweight titlist Vasyl Lomachenko as he attempts to add the third of four major titles in his division on Saturday (ESPN+, 1 PM EST). Since the WBO came to be in the late 1980s, only a handful of people across the sport have been able to unify, or win from those who did, all of the most recognizable alphabelts in their class.

Put aside that it’s hard to do. The politics of boxing make it nearly impossible at times. It’s a tough needle to thread. 2012 Olympian Luke Campbell, the leading contender to the vacant WBC belt on the line along with the WBA and WBO straps, would like to snatch the needle away and leave with “one to go” momentum on his side.

Let’s get into it.

Stats and Stakes

Vasyl Lomachenko

Age: 31

Title: WBA/Ring lightweight (2018-Present, 2 Defenses); WBO lightweight (2018-Present, 1 Defense)

Previous Titles: WBO featherweight (2014-16, 3 Defenses); WBO super featherweight (2016-18, 4 Defenses)

Height: 5’7

Weight: 134 ½ lbs.

Stance: Southpaw

Hails from: Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi, Ukraine

Record: 13-1, 10 KO (19-1, 10 KO including World Series of Boxing Contests)?

Press Rankings: #1 (TBRB, ESPN, Boxing Monthly, BoxRec)

Record in Major Title Fights: 12-1, 9 KO

Last Five Opponents: 145-12-3 (.915)

Current/Former World Champions/Titlists Faced: Orlando Salido L12; Gary Russell Jr. MD12; Roman Martinez KO5; Nicholas Walters RTD7; Guillermo Rigondeuax RTD6; Jorge Linares TKO10; Jose Pedraza UD12; Anthony Crolla KO4

Vs.

Luke Campbell

Age: 31

Title/Previous Titles: None

Height: 5’9

Weight: 134 ¼ lbs.

Stance: Southpaw

Hails from: Ilford, Essex, United Kingdom

Record: 20-2, 16 KO

Press Rankings: #2 (Ring), #3 (Boxing Monthly), #5 (BoxRec), #6 (ESPN), #7 (TBRB),

Record in Major Title Fights: 0-1

Last Five Opponents: 161-19-6 (.881)

Current/Former World Champions/Titlists Faced: Argenis Mendez UD12; Darleys Perez TKO9; Jorge Linares L12

The Case for Lomachenko: The Ukrainian sensation is a widely held pick for pound-for-pound leader and it’s easy to see why. He may have the best footwork in boxing, has quick hands, and some of the most educated combinations around. He’ll be fighting a taller, longer opponent but also one who can be open to the body. Lomachenko will have to break the jab of Campbell and can by stepping around him and landing his straight left and right hook around it. Lomachenko is the more dynamic fighter but will be dealing with a hostile crowd on the road at the O2 and can’t let too many rounds play close. 

The Case for Campbell: Campbell showed the world a lot in a narrow loss to Jorge Linares and comes into this fight with that much more seasoning. Campbell also has the psychological boost of vengeance. Two fights ago he avenged his first career loss to Yvan Mendy, a good sign for any fighter of their professional progress. Campbell has a good jab and a sneaky, awkward left hand that could have some real success against the shorter Lomachenko in spots. Campbell may not have the amateur pedigree of Lomachenko but they both won Gold in 2012 and the experience shows in Campbell never really fighting out of control. Campbell’s shot at an upset will be about containment; if he can stay in his fight and stop Lomachenko from getting on a roll with a disruptive jab, there will be rounds to win. He’ll need seven of them.

The Pick: Campbell is a solid professional and a consensus top ten player at lightweight right now. Lomachenko is another level of talent up from there. He’s quicker, has more offensive tools, and has been a better finisher against tougher opposition. Campbell may yet win a belt some day but it’s highly unlikely to happen here. The hometown hero should finish on his feet but the crowd should be taken out of the contest by the last third as Lomachenko posts a pretty clear decision win.              

Rold Picks 2019: 52-12

Additional Weekend Picks

Charlie Edwards Dec. Julio Cesar Martinez

Erislandy Lara KO Ramon Alvarez

Cliff Rold is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene, a founding member of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America.  He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com