Linares v Lomachenko Preview: Precision and timing will be key

Vasyl Lomachenko

Where to start with the man known as The Matrix? Simply put, he’s arguably the most skilled fighter in the world.

The two-time Olympic champion and amateur king is only going into the 11th pro bout of his career.

But he’s already won a world championship strap in the third bout. And he most recently stopped the legendary Guillermo Rigondeaux.

In fact, Lomachenko has made his last four opponents either quit, or their corner has thrown in the towel. That’s not been down to any fearsome Golovkin-like power, though.

The 30-year-old is simply blessed with incredible footwork, timing, and the sheer volume of his punches. It’s an accumulative effect that bamboozles and breaks down opponents.

Fight Prediction

The Coral boxing traders aren’t taking any chances with Loma. The Ukranian is just 1/8 to win, with Linares a big underdog at 9/2. The Draw or Technical Draw is available at 25/1.

It’s certainly an intriguing fight and it could be a little bit closer than the odds suggest.

Linares is just two years older than his opponent but, in professional terms, is a high-class veteran. There isn’t much in it power-wise, and both are technically-gifted purveyors of the sweet science.

Linares is the naturally bigger man, too. The South American is an inch taller with a four-inch reach advantage.

But El Nino De Oro has a history of being cut, having been left a bloody mess in back-to-back defeats to Antonio DeMarco and Sergio Thompson earlier in his career.

And when you’re facing a fighter with Lomachenko’s timing and precision, that’s not good. It’s 8/11 on Loma to win by KO/TKO or Disqualification. The fight to be won in Rounds 5-8 is 9/4.

It should be a cracker in New York in the early hours of Sunday morning, live on Box Nation.

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All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing