Chenk in my armour

UKRAINIAN MASTER STILL SEEKING PERFECTION

VASILIY LOMACHENKO reckons we haven’t even seen him at his best yet.

That’s the man who has won two Olympic gold medals, two world amateur championships and became the fastest man to win world titles across three weights in the pro ranks.

The same fella who has lost just twice – amateur and professional – since he was 11 years of age.

“I never showed 100 per cent of my skill,” said the Ukrainian superstar. “Always there was some little problem.”

Quite the statement, considering his achievements and what we have seen so far.

In the early hours of tomorrow morning in Las Vegas, we may get to see the best of him. And he may need to be. Lomachenko is facing rising American ace Teofimo Lopez in boxing’s best fight since the sport returned from the coronavirus lockdown in the summer.

There has been a feeling growing in some quarters that, at 32, Lomachenko may be on the slide.

The term clutching at straws comes to mind. Evidence seems to be the fact that in their clash 14 months ago, Luke Campbell made some of the rounds very close and won a few.

That’s Campbell – an Olympic gold medallist and one of the best boxers in Britain.

There is no doubt Lomachenko is at a weight above where his body probably belongs.

But he is far from out of his depth and is still the best in these waters, having already reigned supreme at featherweight and super- featherweight.

Now he must prove it by

SKILL VERSUS WILL: Vasiliy Lomachenko and ( below) Teofimo Lopez dealing with the power of the ultra- confident Lopez, a thrilling prospect who is 15- 0 and has stopped 12 of his previous foes.

By doing so, Lomachenko will become the undisputed lightweight king.

There is a debate to be had if the WBC title is on the line or not but this column isn’t long enough to explain the lunacy of that. Instead, just accept the winner is the best at 9st 9lb.

Expect to see a more switched on Lomachenko, who will know Lopez’s power could swing the bout at any moment.

But timing is everything. And, at 23, this may have come just too early for Lopez.

Lomachenko is a once- in- alifetime fighter who can do things in the ring we’ve never seen before.

If he says the best is yet to come, then boy, are we in for a treat.