by Cliff Rold

Depending on how you count his professional mark, Vasyl Lomachenko is going for a record. Based on the way most count his pro ledger, the once genius Ukrainian amateur is attempting to win a belt in his second weight class in only his seventh pro fight.

No one else has done it faster. Jr. bantamweight sensation Naoya Inoue did it in eight fights, winning titles in two classes in 2014 to earn a BoxingScene Fighter of the Year nod. If Lomachenko wins here, Inoue fans can at least say their guy got there without a loss. 

Are there too many belts? Yes. Is it, with the right connections, too easy to win titles in multiple weight classes in this era?

Adrien Broner.

Yes.

That doesn’t mean this isn’t an interesting feat being attempted. Lomachenko isn’t facing a future Hall of Famer or anything this weekend but Martinez is no soft touch. A willing warrior with classics against Ricky Burns and Orlando Salido (twice just last year), he’s not likely to lie down without an effort.

Will that effort equate to a good fight on Saturday (HBO, 10 PM EST)? Or can we expect Lomachenko’s boxing skills to make this a one-sided affair?  

Let’s go the report card.

The Ledgers

Roman Martinez

Age: 33

Title: WBO super featherweight (2015-Present, 1 Defense)

Previous Titles: WBO super featherweight (2009-10, 2 Defenses; 2012-13, 2 Defenses)

Height: 5’8

Weight: 129 ¾ lbs.

Hails from: Vega Baja, Puerto Rico

Record: 29-2-3, 17 KO, 1 KOBY?

Record in Major Title Fights: 6-2-2, 3 KO, 1 KOBY

Rankings: #5 (ESPN, Ring), #7 (TBRB), #9 (BoxRec)

Current/Former World Champions/Titlists Faced: 4 (Nicky Cook TKO4; Ricky Burns L12; Mikey Garcia KO by 8; Orlando Salido UD12, D12)

Vs.

Vasyl Lomachenko

Age: 28

Title: WBO featherweight (2014-Present, 3 Defenses)

Previous Titles: None

Height: 5’7

Weight: 129 ½ lbs.

Hails from: Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi, Ukraine

Record: 5-1, 3 KO (11-1, 3 KO including World Series of Boxing Contests)?

Record in Major Title Fights: 4-1, 2 KO

Rankings: #1 (BoxingScene, ESPN, Ring), #2 (TBRB)

Current/Former World Champions/Titlists Faced: 2 (Orlando Salido L12; Gary Russell Jr. MD12)

Grades

Pre-Fight: Speed – Martinez B; Lomachenko A-

Pre-Fight: Power – Martinez B; Lomachenko B

Pre-Fight: Defense – Martinez C-; Lomachenko A-

Pre-Fight: Intangibles – Martinez B+; Lomachenko A

boxing

Lomachenko’s lone pro loss is probably still his most important fight to date. Some, this corner included, expected him to capitalize on what appeared a fading veteran for an explosive arrival. He did not. Part of that was overestimating the talent to experience ratio for Lomachenko. Part of it was, since well proven, underestimating just how much Salido had in the tank.

Putting aside the thoughts going into that fight, the takeaway was how Lomachenko closed. Against a more experienced man who came in overweight and used a range of tactics, legal and less so, Lomachenko was adjusting late and coming on. He cut into the Salido lead, stunned him, and showed the character beneath the audacity of his unwillingness to waste time with the development steps so many (outside the lighter classes in Asia) have determined are a must.

Those lessons carried into what should have been a unanimous decision over Russell in an excellent display of boxing skill. This is his toughest foe since the twosome of Salido and Russell. Does that make it a test?

Martinez is tough and has heavy hands. What he doesn’t have is Salido’s inside game. He often launches wide shots, making him available for counters. Mikey Garcia picked Martinez apart. Lomachenko can do the same, countering and turning the more experienced pro.

What Lomachenko hasn’t shown yet is the sort of deterring power Garcia had. He’s scored stoppages, but they largely come via an accumulation of punishment. He sometimes reverts to amateur form, piling up points and not necessarily landing the sort of hurting shots that he could. It is clinically brilliant but not always exciting. For a guy fighting already on a limited schedule, each outing needs to leave an impression to build a fan base. We’re waiting for that physical statement.

Martinez is the sort of available foe that could give Lomachenko the chance for a sensational outing. He’s also the kind who can get more dangerous if he isn’t worried. If Lomachenko doesn’t land the sort of stuff that makes Martinez throw less, could this turn in to a harder fight than it looks like it should be?

The Pick

The answer is probably no. Martinez is going to give an honest effort but he’s not as refined as Salido and doesn’t present as many tricks. Lomachenko’s footwork could have Martinez swinging at a southpaw target that just isn’t there anymore for much of the night. It’s hard to say whether Lomachenko will ever be a major star in the US. Big draws at 126 and 130 lbs. aren’t that common. He should continue to be prime viewing for those who like to watch a craftsman. Expect Lomachenko to pick Martinez apart, taking a few fun shots along the way but ultimately forcing a punishment stoppage late or getting a wide unanimous decision.   

Report Card and Staff Picks 2016: 21-8

Cliff’s Notes…

HBO isn’t the only game in town on Saturday. Showtime has what might be the better action show…In the main event, look for Ruslan Provodnikov to break down John Molina in a fight where the leather flies at some points…In what could be, style-wise, his toughest fight to date, 2008 US Olympian Demetrius Andrade has a chance to get his career back on track against Willie Nelson. Questions about Andrade’s will and focus raised earlier in his career scratch at the back of the mind against a guy like Nelson. Some of those were answered against Vanes Martirosyan, Andrade getting off the floor to win a decision. He might answer some more here. Ultimately, Andrade’s game is just a little more complete and he’s just a little too talented. The pick is Andrade by decision.

Cliff Rold is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene, a founding member of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America.  He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com