Vasyl Lomachenko fights again on May 12.

After his last performance against fellow two-time gold medalist Guillerme Rigondeaux, Vasyl “Hi-Tech” (10-1, 8 KOs) Lomachenko achieved widespread status as one of the best pound for pound boxers in the world.

Now the Ukrainian phenom will jump weight classes from junior lightweight (130 lbs) to lightweight (135 lbs) and take on the WBA champion Jorge Linares (44-3, 27 KOs).

Although Vasyl is moving up, this fight will be a tough one for Linares. In 2017, Loma fought 3 times, forcing corner stoppages in two, and causing Rigondeaux to quit on the stool. The unique nature of his victories has earned him the title “Nomas” Chenko in the boxing community.

But Linares is no paper champ. The 32-year-old Venezuelan is currently high on a 13-fight winning streak. He knows how to use his hands and range in combination.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of this fight was that Top Rank and Golden Boy promotions, came together to get it together. There were scheduling conficlts and contractual obligations, but eventually they settled on a May 12th compromise.

ESPN will televise the card, beginning at 8 PM and ending at 10 PM EST, while Golden Boy will begin airing their card soon thereafter.

Jorge will be looking to play spoiler in this fight, as Lomachenko, as a burgeoning superstar, has many big fights ahead of him, most notably with WBC Lightweight champion Mikey Garcia.

If Linares can use his size and distance properly, he should make the fight an entertaining one. Few are picking him to come out with a win, but Lomachenko is heading into untested waters against a veteran.

The fight will take place in Madison Square Garden on Saturday, May 12th. ESPN will televise the card thanks to Top Rank Boxing’s deal with the network.

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