‘Hi-Tech’ has knocked out the P4P debate
EVER heard of a boxer who leaves the opposition as well as the experts bewildered?
Well, I cannot think of anyone other than the uber-talented Ukrainian named Vasyl Lomachenko.
After almost all his fights, the debate about the best pound-for-pound boxer flares up, with more and more experts climbing on his bandwagon.
This even though “Hi-Tech” has fought only nine times – but already boasts two world titles in two weight divisions.
There are those who already put him on top of their mythical ratings while others argue that his body of work does not warrant him being placed on the summit.
But in their true sense, pound-forpound ratings are just opinions and not the true reflection of the standing of a boxer in world ratings.
For instance there are still differing opinions about the rating of Floyd Mayweather as an all-time great despite his self-proclamations.
Mayweather was a mesmerising phenomenon when he started out as a junior lightweight, where his blazing speed and ring IQ could not be matched. But as he moved up divisions he started to focus more on the business side of the game rather than gunning to solidify his legacy by taking on all-comers.
While he would have perhaps entered some fights as the favourite, Mayweather opted to let experts fantasise about their outcomes rather than actually stepping into the ring to fight the fights.
With him having thankfully retired, the consensus now is that Nicaraguan Roman Gonzalez is the best in the world.
Again this debate is influenced by the body of work “Chocolatito” has amassed, having won all but one of his 47 bouts, which include world titles at mini-flyweight, junior-flyweight, flyweight and now junior-bantamweight.
Despite suffering a loss, when he was viewed as unlucky to surrender his WBC junior bantamweight crown to Thai Srisaket Sor Rungvisai – a decision which has prompted the WBC to order an immediate rematch – some feel he should retain his status as the best in the world.
There are those who appreciate boxing artistry, who feel André Ward should be atop the mythical ratings, such as one Andile Sidinile.
This again is contrary to Ward being viewed as a recipient of a controversial win – myself included – over Sergey Kovalev in a fight whose rematch has since been confirmed for June 17.
But the purists as well as the bloodthirsty like yours truly feel Lomachenko should lead the P4P list as his blend of skills totally flummoxes anyone who dares to step into the ring with him.
Not only does Lomachenko win his bouts but he totally dominates his opponents round after round, forcing them to even quit.
In his last two bouts, Jamaican Nicholas Walters and Jason Sosa quit in their stools when they could not bridge Lomachenko’s defence while eating leather in return, which turned their faces crimson red.
For that Boxing Mecca unabashedly sees the Ukrainian as the best in the world.