Some fighters just have a knack of making the extremely tough seem exceptionally easy. For Vasyl Lomachenko, this has been the case for almost all his amateur and professional boxing career.
The Ukrainian supremo has achieved in 8 fights what many boxers will not accomplish in their entire careers.
Already a two-weight world champion, Lomachenko seems set to invade another division. But first comes a challenge from the on-form WBA Super Featherweight champion – belt not on the line this weekend – Jason Sosa 20-1-4(15KO’s).
Much of Sosa’s blemishes came early in his career where he started with a 4-1-3(1KO) record. Since, his only setback came when he was fortunate to grab a draw with world class Nicholas Walters, but certainly pushed Walters who would later be taken apart by the masterful Vasyl.
That draw was followed by a stunning come-from-behind stoppage of WBA ruler Javier Fortuna, and then Sosa would drag Stephen Smith into a war in Monaco, winning convincingly on the cards after an excellent 12-round war.
READ ALSO: Lomachenko must not take eye off the ball against Sosa
For a chance at victory, Sosa must once again drag his opponent into a close-and-personal tussle. But in Lomachenko, Sosa is fighting an opponent destined for a legendary status in the sport.
In 8 outings, Lomachenko 7-1(5KO’s) has barely put a foot wrong, but in his second contest he was beaten – somewhat unfairly – by Orlando Salido.
Lomachenko’s greatest hits by HBO YouTube:
For many Lomachenko did just enough to come out victorious, but for most Salido should have been penalised on many occasions for repeated low blows and the overuse of tactics to rough-up the smooth skills of Lomachenko.
Vasyl is still seeking revenge, but has paved a way to a place in the pound-for-pound top 10 with victories over the likes of Gary Russell Jr, Roman ‘Rocky’ Martinez and most recently Nicholas Walters.
Lomachenko vs Sosa Keys To Victory
Lomachenko’s move up in weight seems to have brought a new level to his power, scoring a stunning knockout of Martinez following a blistering combination, combining punch power with pinpoint accuracy.
Then in what was regarded his toughest test to date, Lomachenko forced Jamaica’s feared ‘Axe-Man’, Walters to quit on his stool after 7 one-sided rounds.
Now with mega-fights against the likes of Jorge Linares and Mikey Garcia seemingly at his fingertips, there can be no lapse in concentration for Vasyl, despite how greatly he is expected to win at the MGM National Harbor in Maryland.
Sosa has the work rate, power and punch variety to be a real threat in the Super Featherweight division, but the WBO champion Lomachenko is likely to make this tough contest look rather simple.
Sosa may show a little less regard for Vasyl’s power than Walters did, and this should help to create a fan-friendly contest.
But as always, Lomachenko will pick his shots from any angle he likes, leaving Sosa to often fall short in many one-sided exchanges.
Sosa will attempt to keep Vasyl out of his comfort zone, but that will prove about as difficult as it is to keep Stephen Curry out of his shooting zone on the basketball court.
Sosa seems made for Lomachenko to look great, and the 29-year old will be exactly that, forcing a merciful stoppage from the referee around the 8th round.
