Last Thursday, the WBO declared a fight for their vacant strap that takes the way ahead of schedule career of hot Ukrainian prospect Vasyl Lomachenko into new absurdities: he has been ordered to fight undefeated American Olympian Gary Russell, Jr.
As a former 13-year resident of Washington, DC, I’m fond of Russell and wish only the best for him, but I also must ask what he has done that has earned him a title shot. His resume is packed with journeymen and tomato cans, and while it is hardly unusual for a guy to get a title shot with that kind of record, it still is not quite the norm.
Arguably Lomachenko has done more to earn his place on the WBO’s title bill, because while he didn’t beat Orlando Salido, he proved more in that one fight than Russell has in 24. Russell’s lack of career progression has been one of the sport’s biggest disappointments for several years running.
Why the WBO matched Lomachenko with Russell is fairly obvious: they are hoping to cash in on the Lomachenko Express. As a former Olympian with an undefeated record, Russell is more or less credible as a title fight opponent, at least on paper. Yet at the same time, between Russell’s amateur and pro pedigrees, it’s clear he won’t show the Ukrainian prospect anything he can’t handle. Thus, Lomachenko will get his title belt in a fight that avoids repeating the mistake of tangling with a cagey veteran like Orlando Salido.
On balance, the only thing more absurd than Lomachenko getting another title shot in his third pro fight are the WBO rankings that made such a spectacle possible. Lomachenko was ranked #6, and is the only featherweight ProBoxing-Fans.com recognizes as Top 10 in the WBO’s rankings (coincidentally, we also have him at #6). Gary Russell, unranked by us, is their #1 contender. The other eight ranked by the WBO are fringe contenders or nobodies.
[Editor’s Note: Russell is currently rated at number 6 at 130 lbs, with the message: “What’s frustrating about Gary Russell Jr. is that we’ve seen the immense talent for years. But it’s been such a painstakingly slow rise to the top. Can we finally see this guy in there with somebody who could at least challenge him in some way? Should have been fighting for titles in 2011. Ranked his high only due to his talent, has done nothing of note.”]
The ridiculous urgency with which Lomachenko’s people are pushing him to the top of the sport begs the very appropriate question of “why?” Are they afraid of the guy will develop an unstoppable urge to party or what? Of course, the counterpoint to that is “why not?” Lomachenko’s people can get him a title in his third fight, so why shouldn’t they? In the short term, there is no reason at all why they shouldn’t, but how this rush plays out in the long term is an entirely different matter.
