Ukrainian lightweight world champion Vasily Lomachenko is the bookmakers favourite ahead of his impending duel against British Anthony Crolla at the Staples Center, Los Angeles, California, USA in two days time come 12th of April 2019.
The southpaw who was initially scheduled to fight Ghana’s Richard Commey in a unification battle but for an injury to the latter after he dispatched Russian Isa Chaniev on Feb 2nd 2019. Now he is battle ready for Anthony Crolla and is anticipating an entertaining fight against the Brits.
“I anticipate a good and entertaining fight. I want to enjoy (myself) during the fight. All of my fights, I have enjoyed.”
“Before the fight, you’re nervous a little bit, but when you step in the ring, it’s your place. You step into your house, relax and enjoy the fight.” The current World Boxing Association Super World Lightweight and
World Boxing Organisation World Lightweight champion expressed.
“On April 12, I am going to show my best style and give the fans a great show. I am excited to fight at STAPLES Center. The fans in Los Angeles are special and appreciate my boxing style.” Lomachenko continued.
On his possible fight later in the year against the hard puncher Richard Commey of Ghana, the Ukranian stated.
“My goal is to unify all the titles. If it’s (IBF champion Richard) Commey later this year, that would be a great fight. Any champion, I would want to fight. I want IBF and WBC belts. I want to go down in history as a great champion.” He concluded
Anthony Crolla on the other hand understand the task ahead and is equally optimistic of his chances though expresses a lot of respect for his Ukrainian opponent.
“It’s been a long camp and the hardest of my career, physically and mentally, but I am in a great place and I’m raring to go.”
“He’s seen by many as the best fighter on the planet and I know that I have a huge challenge ahead of me, but these are the kinds of fights that I got into the sport for at the age of 10. I’ve dreamt about nights like this and it’s almost time.”
“He’s a very unique fighter, his movement is exceptional and he creates great angles. You can see what all the praise is about. He’s one of the greatest amateurs ever and he’s taken that into the pro ranks. It’s unbelievable what he’s done in a short space of time in the pros, but I am here not just to test myself against the very best but to give it everything I have to shock the world.”
“People aren’t giving me a chance, but that doesn’t matter to me. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. The motivation to me is attaching my name to one of the biggest upsets in British boxing history, without a doubt, and I don’t think I’m speaking out of turn there. As a boxing fan and someone that lives and breathes the sport, that’s all the motivation I need. I’ve been the underdog all throughout my career and I know that this is by far the biggest challenge I’ve faced, but it’s one I can’t wait to get stuck into.”
“I’ve boxed at the elite level before, I’ve been boxing at the world title level for years and I’ve earned this shot, it’s not been given to me. I know that I have to pull off something massive, but I do belong at this level and I’ll prove it. I won’t be in awe. I’ve worked far too hard to let that happen and I am confident. It’s just me and him in the ring. Like any sport you need that little bit of luck, but I have worked immensely hard to get as lucky as I can, but we’re going in with a good game plan and I cannot be better prepared.” Crolla Said during a Top Rank interview.
Can Anthony Crolla pull one over Vasily Lomachenko whose only career defeat was in his second professional outing, a world title bout against Mexico’s Orlando Salido in 2014?