Media Workout: Vasiliy Lomachenko Looks to Conquer Lightweight Division
Lomachenko to Challenge WBA and Ring Magazine Lightweight Champion Jorge Linares May 12 at Madison Square Garden
OXNARD, Calif. (April 25, 2018) — Vasiliy ‘Hi-Tech‘ Lomachenko hosted a media workout Tuesday at the Boxing Laboratory as he prepares to challenge World Boxing Association (WBA) and Ring Magazine lightweight champion Jorge ‘El Niño de Oro’ Linares, May 12 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Lomachenko (10-1, 8 KOs), a former two-weight world champion, is moving up from 130 pounds to challenge Linares, who has not tasted defeat since 2012.
Linares vs. Lomachenko will be televised live and exclusively at 8:00 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN Deportes, and undercard bouts will stream live on ESPN+, available through the ESPN App, beginning at 4:30 p.m. ET.
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with Golden Boy Promotions, Teiken Promotions, and Madison Square Garden, tickets for the Linares vs. Lomachenko world championship card are ON SALE NOW. Priced at $506, $406, $306, $206, $106, and $56, including facility fees, tickets can be purchased at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008), and online at ticketmaster.com and MSG.com.
Here is what Lomachenko had to say.
On Fighting Jorge Linares
“I wanted to go up to the next weight category, 135 pounds, and fight only champions. Jorge Linares was available for this moment. That’s why I wanted a fight with him.”
“I was asked if I wanted to fight Linares. It took me less than two seconds to accept the challenge.”
On Fighters Quitting On Their Stools Against Him
“It’s not good for me. It’s not good for boxing. Boxing, it’s a war. It’s a very, very brutal sport, and if you come in the ring, then you need to be willing to die in the ring. If you can’t die, you’re out.”
On Headlining at the Big Arena at Madison Square Garden
“It’s important for me because I made my name in the history of boxing. Moving forward, I only want to fight in big arenas. I love New York. I love Madison Square Garden. I feel very comfortable there. The boxing fans are very knowledgeable. It’s a very famous arena. Fighting there is a big honor for me.”
On Linares’ Size and Strength
“For me, it’s a big challenge because before this fight, I fought against guys who were the same size or a little bit smaller than me. Now, I want to feel the way Rigondeaux felt when he fought me. He was smaller than I at that point. I am going to be smaller than my opponents now. I want to show people it’s not a big problem, that five pounds is not too big of a difference.”
On His Legacy
“It’s the next step in my boxing history. We’re talking about my career. I built a ladder, and when I finish my boxing career, I want my ladder to be very strong and long.”
On Linares’ Pre-Fight Trash Talk
“I like it. Before the fight, all boxers talk trash, but after the fight, nobody comes to the press conference. After this fight, I want to see Jorge Linares at the press conference, and I want to hear what he has to say.”
