Vasyl Lomachenko has been hailed as the undisputed pound-for-pound king of boxing as he dissected England's Anthony Crolla in Los Angeles on Friday night, knocking out the Brit with a stunning fourth-round combination.
Lomachenko, 31, proved the oddsmakers correct in defense of his WBO and WBA lightweight titles, knocking the 100-1 underdog out with a hard right hook just under a minute in the fourth round.
It was thunderous strike to the Manchester fighter's temple, immediately sending him slumping face first to the canvas as the referee waved off the bout inside the Staples Center.
The double Olympic medalist improves to 13-1 in his career, 10 of those wins coming by KO, and called for sterner challenges than that of the overmatched Englishman.
"I want Mikey Garcia. I want to unify titles. That's my goal. I want historic fights," Lomachenko said post-fight.
Crolla, meanwhile, had said in advance of the fight that he was prepared to "shock the world" when he was plugged into the bout as an injury replacement for IBF champion Richard Commey, but in truth it was a poor performance from the the Englishman. He now falls to 34-7-3.
Promoter Eddie Hearn said afterwards that Lomachenko's skill was too much for Crolla.
"Lomachenko was too good for Anthony," he said. "This shot came against the head; you can't not take this opportunity. Losing to Lomachenko is never a disgrace.
"He can have zero regrets because he prepared the best he could, it's just about levels. Who is going to beat Lomachenko?"
The reaction on social media has been similar to that of Hearn, with many fight fans heaping praise on the man considered the world's best boxer.
Ive watched every Lomachenko pro fight several times over but that was his best performance to date
Hes getting better
Footwork, accuracy, spite. Wow. #LomachenkoCrolla#LomaCrolla
— Adam Catterall (@AdamCatterall) April 13, 2019
Embarrassing. You could've picked a random guy from the audience and they'd do more. He barely threw a punch just sat there like a punchbag. Wouldn't count out a fix or crolla is just that bad. Its not that Loma is that good. his opponent was useless. #LomachenkoCrolla
— Dar Two (@spixeltwit1) April 13, 2019
Just a thank to those whove tweeted their well wishes. Honest Im fine health wise just pride is hurting. Honestly felt in the best shape of my life going into the fight and so gutted to go out like that. An honour to share the ring with @VasylLomachenko who was even better than
— anthony crolla (@ant_crolla) April 13, 2019
than I thought. The knockout was a great shot he told me after it he broke his hand with that punch. He was a gentleman. Im just gonna have a bit of time out before deciding whats next. Ive had a crazy career and walking out in the Staples Centre against many peoples p4p #1
— anthony crolla (@ant_crolla) April 13, 2019
hearing the travelling support is something Ill never forget. Im gonna have a bit of time out before deciding if theres another night in us or not. Thanks again for all the well wishes I just simply got knocked out off a truly great fighter. No regrets.
— anthony crolla Read More – Source
Vasyl Lomachenko has been hailed as the undisputed pound-for-pound king of boxing as he dissected England's Anthony Crolla in Los Angeles on Friday night, knocking out the Brit with a stunning fourth-round combination.
Lomachenko, 31, proved the oddsmakers correct in defense of his WBO and WBA lightweight titles, knocking the 100-1 underdog out with a hard right hook just under a minute in the fourth round.
It was thunderous strike to the Manchester fighter's temple, immediately sending him slumping face first to the canvas as the referee waved off the bout inside the Staples Center.
The double Olympic medalist improves to 13-1 in his career, 10 of those wins coming by KO, and called for sterner challenges than that of the overmatched Englishman.
"I want Mikey Garcia. I want to unify titles. That's my goal. I want historic fights," Lomachenko said post-fight.
Crolla, meanwhile, had said in advance of the fight that he was prepared to "shock the world" when he was plugged into the bout as an injury replacement for IBF champion Richard Commey, but in truth it was a poor performance from the the Englishman. He now falls to 34-7-3.
Promoter Eddie Hearn said afterwards that Lomachenko's skill was too much for Crolla.
"Lomachenko was too good for Anthony," he said. "This shot came against the head; you can't not take this opportunity. Losing to Lomachenko is never a disgrace.
"He can have zero regrets because he prepared the best he could, it's just about levels. Who is going to beat Lomachenko?"
The reaction on social media has been similar to that of Hearn, with many fight fans heaping praise on the man considered the world's best boxer.
Ive watched every Lomachenko pro fight several times over but that was his best performance to date
Hes getting better
Footwork, accuracy, spite. Wow. #LomachenkoCrolla#LomaCrolla
— Adam Catterall (@AdamCatterall) April 13, 2019
Embarrassing. You could've picked a random guy from the audience and they'd do more. He barely threw a punch just sat there like a punchbag. Wouldn't count out a fix or crolla is just that bad. Its not that Loma is that good. his opponent was useless. #LomachenkoCrolla
— Dar Two (@spixeltwit1) April 13, 2019
Just a thank to those whove tweeted their well wishes. Honest Im fine health wise just pride is hurting. Honestly felt in the best shape of my life going into the fight and so gutted to go out like that. An honour to share the ring with @VasylLomachenko who was even better than
— anthony crolla (@ant_crolla) April 13, 2019
than I thought. The knockout was a great shot he told me after it he broke his hand with that punch. He was a gentleman. Im just gonna have a bit of time out before deciding whats next. Ive had a crazy career and walking out in the Staples Centre against many peoples p4p #1
— anthony crolla (@ant_crolla) April 13, 2019
hearing the travelling support is something Ill never forget. Im gonna have a bit of time out before deciding if theres another night in us or not. Thanks again for all the well wishes I just simply got knocked out off a truly great fighter. No regrets.
— anthony crolla Read More – Source
