At the Microsoft Theater, Los Angeles, Vasyl Lomachenko put on another sublime boxing masterclass, retiring a top-drawer contender in Miguel Marriaga in 7 rounds to defend the WBO Junior Lightweight belt. Lomachenko was punch perfect, bossing the action throughout by smothering and outwitting his challenger in another dominant display for boxing purists.
Lomachenko’s stock continues to swell as the pro slate reaches 9 wins, 1 defeat, 7 knockouts. Marriaga meanwhile drops to 25 wins, 3 defeats, 21 knockouts after a significant setback tonight, having faced losses to every high-profile fighter he has faced, beginning with Nicholas Walters in 2015 and Oscar Valdez in April.
Marriaga gave as measured a performance as possible, but, thanks to Lomachenko’s next-level tool set, was continuously unsettled and outclassed by one of boxing’s smartest technicians. On the backfoot, Marriaga, who suffered knockdowns in the 3rd and 7th, soon became target practice, and wound up being bullied around the ring from the 5th onwards until a compassionate corner threw in the towel. For the record, Boxing Base had the action at a landslide 70-63 for Lomachenko going into the 8th.
Lomachenko, who conceded a cut to his left eye from an accidental head clash in the 4th, proved once again that he is of elite prowess, and couldn’t be more ready for boxing’s best. Beyond Miguel Berchelt and Gervonta Davis in the Junior Lightweight Top 10, there is unchartered territory at both 135 and 140 lbs. Both climbs present salivating potential matchups, with fellow front-runners like Mikey Garcia and Terence Crawford standing at the top of the pile.
Lomachenko vs Marriaga: Undercard
- Raymundo Beltran (34-7-1, 21 KO) had his work cut out against a slippery, crafty customer in Bryan Vasquez (35-3, 19 KO), but managed to keep his impressive comeback in good stead, with the Lightweight affair scored a Majority Decision following 96-94 (twice) and 95-95 tallies.
- Andy Vences (19-0, 11 KO) knocked out Eliseo Cruz (11-4-1, 7 KO) in 3 rounds, with the overmatched Cruz meeting the canvas twice in their Junior Lightweight dustup.
- Esquiva Falcao (18-0, 12 KO) kept his unbeaten Middleweight run intact after landing an 80-72 (thrice) shutout decision over Ivan Montero (23-10, 13 KO) to conclude their Middleweight encounter.
- Erik De Leon (17-0, 10 KO) handily conquered Adones Aguelo (28-16-2, 19 KO), with scores of 60-54 (twice) and 59-55 deciding their Junior Lightweight scrap.
Give us your two cents on Lomachenko vs Marriaga below, the rest of tonight’s busy card, plus where you’d like to see Lomachenko head next.
