Malignaggi: «Shakur is Today’s Lomachenko»

Former boxer and now expert Paulie Malignaggi commented on the victory of the Ukrainian IBF and IBO lightweight champion (up to 61.2 kg) Vasyl Lomachenko (18-3, 12 KOs) over the Australian George Kambosos (21-3, 10 KOs).

Paul is also convinced that Lomachenko will eventually face WBC titleholder Shakur Stevenson (21-0, 10 KOs).

«An excellent, stunning victory, but nothing unexpected. Lomachenko hasn’t had a stoppage win for a while. This is a statement for him, but at the same time, it’s a stoppage win over a fighter who is below the level of those Lomachenko fought in the lightweight division.

I doubt George Kambosos would have even beaten Luke Campbell. Yes, he has a win over Teofimo Lopez, that cannot be taken away, but the more we look at Kambosos post-Lopez and even before Lopez – he’s not at that level.

I think Lomachenko will eventually fight Shakur Stevenson. There are no two opinions, no other paths. The best guys keep avoiding Stevenson just like they avoided Lomachenko when he was at his peak.

I found it interesting that Davis tweeted about Lomachenko. Gervonta never mentioned him, never wrote anything about Lomachenko when he was at his best. At that time, he shut down all talk about this topic, he didn’t want it at all, but now everyone sees Lomachenko gradually fading, he’s 36, and suddenly everyone wants him.

I believe Shakur is the only guy who always wanted to fight everyone, no matter what, and Shakur will get the fight against Lomachenko this time. I think this will be a big name that he is likely capable of overcoming. For this, he needs to work a bit harder, push himself to a new level. It seems to me, Shakur is today’s Lomachenko, nobody wants to fight him», said Paul.

On May 12, Vasyl Lomachenko defeated George Kambosos by technical knockout and became the IBF and IBO champion.

On July 6, in Newark, USA, Shakur Stevenson will make his first title defense against Artem Harutyunyan (12-1, 7 KOs).