Lightweight Impeachment

Here we go then, with what is probably the biggest fight (depending on your desired metrics) of the 'closed door' era. It's actually an era I'm becoming somewhat partial to. I've often wondered if the sport would be more enjoyable without the surrounding input of the drunk, the troglodytic and the damn right foolish, and yes I do indeed enjoy the sport without Jamie McDonnell being a part of it. I tease, of course. Not about McDonnell - fuck him - but about the absence of fans. In recent weeks I've seen fans at shows in Trump's Freewheelin' America, I've seen the riot hungry French at a Yoka fight and various football matches across Europe draped in the wholesome smiles of an encouraging crowd. Alas, not in the UK though. The only combat we're seeing from the front row is a one sided beat down of the arts, the public sector, the common person and anything else that none of our beguiling ministers do not posses a vested interest in. And whilst they deal these daunting blows, the CompuBox stats read that this merry little island of supposed meritocracy has more deaths than the entirety of Africa. Perhaps Voltaire was wrong, maybe God is on the side of the big battalions.

Let's meander back from that sideshow to the matter at hand. The mercurial Vasily Lomachenko is hoping to pinch the IBF title from the powerful hands of one Teofimo Lopez. Loma has all the others apart from the WBC; I’ve no interest in counting that nonsense as anything other than another reason the WBC should be lowered slowly into acid.

I've seen varying stances and moods around this fight, most of which I've agreed with at some level. These range from the size, power and youth of Lopez stopping Loma in his nimble little tracks, right through to Loma's experience and technical ability winning every second of the fight until the towel is thrown in for Lopez. I don't quite surf the extremities of those waves but I'm open to paddling in both waters. Depending on how you see the fight unfolding, you'll either think this is a terrific matchup or just a formality. A brazen attempt from the 23 year old to attain premature greatness or the veteran ashamedly schooling a green fighter. No matter what your opinion is, I think we can all agree that we want any fighter affiliated with Lee Wylie to lose, so we can see which fight from his 1930's portfolio he can compare it to. I bet this guy can't even watch a porn without thinking 'as yes, she performs fellatio in a manner reminiscent of Linda Lovelace'.

Lopez has certainly earned his chance to make a serious name for himself. I like Haney and Garcia, but they don't have the record that Lopez does at this stage. Davis said he had no interest in fighting Loma until 2022, so fuck that fat bum, let's show some appreciation for someone who has actually come to the party instead of ignoring the invite. Stopping Magdaleno and Tati put Lopez on the radar more stridently than he was previously. Eyebrows were raised somewhat as he labored in his fight with Nakatani. Said eyebrows resumed prior position when he absolutely flattened the very respectable Commey in under 6 minutes. Plus, fighters have off days. It happens. His power would appear to be legit and he can certainly box to a competent level but he isn't without mistakes. He is guilty of backing up in straight lines and is sometimes quite open when throwing combinations.

Both of which are things you'd expect a technician like Loma to exploit. Lopez has fought and beat capable fighters, but he hasn't beaten an elite one. To be fair, not many do. The question is can Loma's use of angles, his speed at getting out of range and body work mitigate Lopez's own strengths? Let's not forget, he isn't purely some physical brute who fights like Chavez Jr on ketamine. Since his loss to Salido, Loma has fought a host of styles and levels. He hasn't really fought someone who can apply pressure to him the way Salido did though. Lopez might be smart to try and apply that same game plan on Saturday. It has to be educated though. Marching forward like Adam Smith towards an unconscious child isn't going to work; it requires nuance, adaptability and patience.

As it stands, I personally think Lopez probably starts quite well but he's worked out by the acerbic Loma and is then struggling for a plan B. One of those where the cards might make the fight appear a lot closer than it was in reality. Occasionally I'll read an opinion by someone I respect (which obviously means it is the opinion of a man) which completely alters my read on the fight. Shit, maybe Loma is slipping and Lopez is the guy that's going to switch his Ukrainian lights out? I'll stick with my Loma decision, I think. Knowledge is knowing I don't know shit about boxing. Wisdom is placing a bet on the other guy.