NEW YORK (AP) – As a promoter, Bob Arum is paid to pump up his clients. Hyperbole is a staple of his repertoire.
Yet, judging by the performances of junior lightweight Vasyl Lomachenko, particularly in winning the WBO belt on Saturday, Arum might not be far off in calling the Ukrainian boxing’s “next superstar.”
Lomachenko was dynamic and dominant for five rounds before a series of lefts and a massive right hook floored champion Rocky Martinez. Afterward, Martinez admitted that Lomachenko’s punches came too fast for him to defend.
The win brought Lomachenko’s professional record to a mere 6-1; a two-time Olympic gold medalist and three-time amateur world champion, Lomachenko established his credentials on that level before turning pro in 2013. Among those six victories are two title bouts; Lomachenko, 28, also won the IBF featherweight crown two years ago.
The speed and devastating power he brought into the ring at the Theater at Madison Square Garden last weekend could scare off future opponents. Arum’s words just might, too.