The former holder of three lightweight titles, ex-champion in the featherweight and second featherweight divisions, Ukrainian Vasily Lomachenko (16-2, 11 KOs) attended the last boxing evening in Carson (USA), the main event of which was the Fundora-Ocampo fight.
After the event, Vasily fell into the arms of the American media. In a series of questions and answers Lomachenko
told about sparring with former champion in two categories American Shakur Stevenson (19-0, 9 KOs) and lightweight prospect from the USA Ryan Garcia (23-0, 19 KOs), expressed his opinion about possible fights Usyk – Fury, Spence – Crawford, Garcia – Davis and answered other questions.
Recall that Lomachenko’s return to the ring is scheduled for October 29 against unbeaten American prospect Jemaine Ortiz (16-0-1, 8 KOs).
– Who do you think will win – Tank (Davis) or Ryan (Garcia)?
For me, it’s a 50-50 fight.
What about the Spence-Crawford fight?
— The same situation. This is a very interesting fight for all boxing fans. A very interesting fight.
How do you think the fight between Usyk and Tyson Fury will go?
“Listen, Usyk is my friend. Of course, I think he will win and show very smart and technical boxing with Tyson Fury.
“Even with the advantage in height, arm span, Fury’s speed?”
– It does not matter.
- “Narik, alcoholic, suicidal man returned from retirement!” Fury on Usyk, Wilder and Joshua
“You are so loved in Los Angeles. You are photographed for 2 hours. Everyone loves you. Why are you so popular?
“People understand boxing, that’s why.
– How are you feeling?
– Good.
– You look fit. You are ready?
– Of course. I can’t wait to return.
— Your friend Egis Kavaliauskas won. Looked good.
– That’s for sure. Nice win after a year off.
– Which style is more difficult for you: Devin Haney or Shakur Stevenson?
“Look, I never thought about their fights. I don’t want to talk about them. If you want to talk about boxing, about my boxing, then I can answer. But I can’t compare these two different styles. I fought Shakur in a sparring session, but I never fought Devin Haney. I can’t compare.
– Did he impress you in sparring at all? Did anything stand out in sparring with Shakur?
– He is a good boxer. He is a smart boxer, very technical. And, of course, they were good sparring sessions.
How would you rate his defense in those sparring sessions?
– When I sparred with him, it was at 55.2 kg or 59 kg. Now he is much bigger. I think he has more power now. So now it’s going to be very interesting.
- Shakur won’t be offended by Lomachenko if he picks Haney over him
– How would you rate his extreme performance? Did he look good?
– Yes.
Did he look stronger?
– Yes [улыбается].
– How satisfied were you with sparring with Ryan Garcia and Shakur Stevenson? Who had to work harder?
– For me, sparring with Shakur was more interesting, because I sparred with him, I think, five or six times. And with Ryan Garcia, we only sparred for three rounds.
Are you surprised that they went this far after sparring with you? They show great potential.
“Look, when I sparred with Ryan Garcia, I didn’t know about him. I was just getting ready for my next fight, and he came into our gym, started sparring, and we went through a few rounds. That’s all. But when I sparred with Shakur, I knew about him. I knew that he was an Olympic silver medalist. I knew he understood boxing. Therefore, it was good.
– Apparently, Ryan is currently in negotiations with Gervonta Davis. How do you think their fight will go?
“Look, now we are more professionals. We have more experience now. Now everything is different. Now he is a professional boxer. When I sparred with Ryan Garcia, he was a kid, but now he has strength, he has professional boxing experience, speed, IQ. Same Gervonta Davis.
– How excited are you to prove that you are number one in the 61.2 kg division? With everything going on right now, how motivated are you to get back in the ring?
– Look, I am very motivated, because I have a goal, I have a dream – to become the absolute world champion. And now I’m close to my next chance. My next fight is October 29th in New York. If it goes very well for me, I hope we can arrange a fight with the winner of the Kambosos-Haney fight.
Who is the more effective southpaw: Errol Spence or Terence Crawford?
Terence Crawford for me.
— [добавляет Эгис Климас] The most effective is Lomachenko. Thanks guys, thanks [уводит Василия от СМИ].
- “It’s up to Haney!” Klimas about the future of Lomachenko
