Photos by Mikey Williams/Top Rank
On Saturday, April 8, 2017, Vasyl Lomachenko takes on Jason Sosa live from the MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, MD.
The boxing event will be the first at the MGM and headlines a tripleheader on HBO World Championship Boxing.
Read on for Round By Round Boxing‘s staff predictions and let us know who you think will win.
Round By Round Boxing Staff Predictions - 2020
| Name | Win | Loss | Total Fights | Win Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Burgos | 3 | 3 | 6 | 0.5 |
| Hans Themistode | 4 | 2 | 6 | 0.66666666666667 |
| R.L. Woodson | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0.8 |
| Robert Contreras | 6 | 0 | 6 | 1 |
Vasyl Lomachenko vs. Jason Sosa
Liam Brady, Graphic Designer/Staff Writer
Going for Vasyl Lomachenko, via stoppage, in eight rounds.
His angles, defensive wit and offensive accuracy will gradually break down the tough, but technically inferior, Jason Sosa.
Hopefully we can see Lomachenko contesting for belts, other than the WBO, very soon.
Prediction: Lomachenko
Brandon Glass, Staff Writer
Jason Sosa is peaking as a fighter and deserves a shot at Vasyl Lomachenko’s title. Unfortunately, this should have been a unification bout, but we all know how sanctioning bodies operate. Sosa decided to take this fight after the first defense of his WBA world title, which resulted in the belt being stripped.
Sosa has done well against solid competition in his last few outings and has experience as the underdog; he fought (a then undefeated) Nicholas Walters to a draw and upset Javier Fortuna by knockout in his first shot at a world title, a fight he was losing.
All that said, there are levels to boxing and Lomachenko is currently at the top level. There is nothing that Sosa has in the toolbox, can do in preparation, or learn from past experiences that can help him win–outside of pure luck.
Stylistically, this matchup is unfavorable for Sosa in terms of his aggression, as Lomachenko will use excellent footwork, angles, hand speed and counterpunching to bewilder Sosa as long as the fight lasts.
While Sosa has power and puts his punches together well, I expect him to be frustrated by his inability to be effective and stopped by the sixth round or earlier.
Prediction: Lomachenko
CJ Halloran, Staff Writer
Vasyl Lomachenko–all day every day. The guy doesn’t take anybody for granted and it shows.
I see his pure boxing ability destroying Jason Sosa and can’t see it passing the 10th.
Prediction: Lomachenko
Amber Williams, Photographer
Prediction: Lomachenko
Andrew Kang, Staff Writer
Prediction: Lomachenko
Ty Paul, Staff Writer
Give Jason Sosa credit for taking this fight. He’s had a lot momentum since his disputed draw against Nicholas Walters in December 2015. Sosa also looked fantastic against Javier Fortuna.
That being said, Lomachenko is on another planet. There’s no doubt Sosa will be more competitive against Lomachenko than Walters was and he’ll be willing to go all out and leave everything in the ring.
But Lomachenko has too much skill and natural God given talent for Sosa.
Prediction: Lomachenko
Mike Burnell, Staff Writer
Saturday night Vasyl “Hi Tech” Lomacheko puts his WBO Super Featherweight title on the line against Jason Sosa who is a comparative veteran with 25 fights as opposed to Lomachenko’s paltry eight. Loma won the title in his third professional fight.
As amazing as it may seem, Sosa is facing arguably the best fighter pound for pound in the world.
Lomachenko finished his amateur career with a record of 396-1, redeeming his loss twice against Albert Selimov, picking up gaudy amounts of championships and experience along his journey.
If there is any question of dominance, Lomachenko will likely disambiguate all notions within the next year, providing his team will be able to get past the obnoxious promotional and network issues.
All respect to Sosa who is a very capable fighter in other circumstances, he will be stopped in round eight.
Prediction: Lomachenko
Joseph Rodriguez, Staff Writer
Jason Sosa will definitely come into the fight looking for a win. He is not a fighter who is looking to go twelve rounds for a moral victory.
He will be in Lomachecnko’s face and this will hopefully lead to some thrilling exchanges. But Lomachenko is in a class of his own when it comes to boxing skill.
Sosa isn’t the most defensively skilled fighter, he will ultimately be overwhelmed by the accuracy and speed of Lomachenko’s punches.
Prediction: Lomachenko
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Jason Sosa is tough and will try to employ a game plan where is he will be as heavy as he can and try to pressure Vasyl Lomachenko and make him feel his power.
I don’t think Lomachenko will give Sosa a target and will be outclassed throughout the fight before a mid-round stoppage.
Prediction: Lomachenko
