Vasyl Lomachenko put on a clinic to defend his WBA, WBO Lightweight titles at the Staples Center, Los Angeles, nullifying and knocking out an overwhelmed Anthony Crolla. While a demolition job was to be expected, Lomachenko’s short, savage day at the office surely exceeded most observers’ expectations, especially against a tough, proven veteran like Crolla.
Following a patient, probing opener, Lomachenko, Boxing Base’s P4P No.1, began applying intelligent pressure, soon tagging Crolla at will, and paying minimal price for coming forward. Crolla, with no choice but to go on the defensive, was mindful of every move Lomachenko made as the one-way traffic seesawed for the Ukrainian.
Crolla’s odds-defying career and world-level experience could not save him tonight. He was drowning fast in unchartered waters. And when Lomachenko unloaded a relentless barrage on his answerless, rope-bound opponent in the 3rd – with twenty seconds remaining – it was all over. Or, so it appeared, anyway.
Referee Jack Reiss jumped in, not permanently halting the action, but reading a surprise standing 8-count to a desperate, unsteady Crolla. Meanwhile, Lomachenko’s corner had entered the ring in celebration, only to be scolded by Reiss and ordered outside. The bell chimed to end the round and the fight was back on (although it seemed to be of zero benefit to anyone; at least those harboring mercy for the beaten, broken Crolla).
The end was near, with a vicious knockout about to bring the curtain down in the 4th. Lomachenko, smelling blood, yet calm and collected as ever, kept on his retreating foe, with a crunching right hook soon rendering Crolla motionless as he slumped to the canvas. The replay revealed Lomachenko’s calculating nature, with ‘Hi-Tech’ forcing a high, vision-blinding guard from Crolla (using a soft jab) which then exposed Crolla’s temple for the sense-severing punch to come.
Shortly after, a shaky Crolla was able to return to his feet with disappointment plastered across his face. But that expression is nothing new – or to be ashamed of – as we all know too well. It’s a look many of Lomachenko’s foes have worn in the past; foes who have been physically and spiritually torn to pieces.
With the fight over, now is a pivotal juncture in the storied career of Crolla, a British fan favourite who could well be considering his exit from the fight game in the following weeks. And, if that is to be the case for ‘Million Dollar’, who could really hold it against him?
The Mancunian, who’s had quite the remarkable journey, filled with plenty of headlining shows, highs, lows and compelling upsets, has been a joy to watch. Despite an early shock career blemish to banger Derry Mathews and a critical head injury (inflicted after Crolla interrupted a home burglary), Crolla has laughed in the face of odds and, if anything, overachieved, earning highlight reel performances versus Darleys Perez (II), Jorge Linares (I) and Ismael Barroso.
As for Lomachenko, the sky is the limit. Or, considering his current trajectory, perhaps space itself and beyond. It’s high praise for a guy with just 14 bouts under him, granted. However, from what we’ve been witnessing, he seems increasingly more worthy of that kind of praise. That he’s something a bit special. Something we just haven’t seen before.
But there are still looming threats out there; guys Lomachenko needs to conquer to become a truly undisputable living legend of the sport. If you ask most fight fans, those chief players are Mikey Garcia (recently humbled versus Errol Spence Jr), Gervonta Davis (an elite 130-pounder destined for Lightweight), and Teoffima Lopez (a red-hot, closely watched prospect).
So what’s next for Lomachenko? Who should he challenge? Is it time for Crolla to bow out from boxing? And will any of the aforementioned elites be willing to risk all against Lomachenko?
