Former pound-for-pound great, Vasyl Lomachenko, will go to war opposite former undisputed Lightweight champion, George Kambosos, tonight (Sat., May 11, 2024) LIVE on ESPN/ESPN+ from inside RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.
This is something of a must-win fight for both boxers. Lomachenko’s most recent appearance was a competitive loss to Devin Haney. That’s his second loss in his previous five fights, and at 36 years of age, there is concern that Lomachenko’s best performances are behind him. As for Australia’s “Emperor,” he shocked the world by upsetting Teofimo Lopez in 2021. Consecutive losses to Haney cost him his belts, however, though he’s since rebounded with a decision win over Maxi Hughes last summer. That victory scored him the IBO Lightweight belt, but this is his first real return to the elite level since the Haney bouts.
Which man adds to their championship legacy? It’s time to fight and find out!
Live updates will begin to flow below the moment the two fighters make their way to the ring …
WARRIOR MODE ON @GeorgeKambosos makes the walk. pic.twitter.com/gDuk2KEnHr
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) May 12, 2024
THE GET BACK @VasylLomachenko | LIVE ON @ESPN pic.twitter.com/FCTZeFqjyj
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) May 12, 2024
LOMACHENKO VS. KAMBOSOS PLAY-BY-PLAY UPDATES:
Round One
Kambosos goes to the body early with a wide right hand. His second combination goes to the breadbasket as well. Lomachenko patient early, feinting and getting his reads. Lomachenko scores with a cross. He feints his way inside and scores with a quick combination. He lands once last combo near the bell before pulling to avoid return fire.
10-9 Lomachenko
Round Two
Kambosos back to the body early, but all his punches aimed at the head are missing. Lomachenko walks him down and scores a quick couple punches. Quick jab from Lomachenko, then a three punch combo. Kambosos scores a good right hand to the body, his best shot of the fight so far. Lomachenko flurries at the bell and scores a few clean punches. Closer round.
10-9 Lomachenko
Round Three
Lomachenko feints his way forward and lands a check hook when Kambosos tries to counter. A quick exchange sees both men land in close quarters. The ref warns Kambosos for a low blow that maybe wasn’t low. A stiff jab from Lomachenko snaps Kambosos’ head back. Kambosos’ right hand finds the body. The two finish the round with a big exchange, and a final Lomachenko left turns his opponent’s head.
10-9 Lomachenko
THIS EXCHANGE TO END ROUND 3 pic.twitter.com/pKMWD6QAtV
— ESPN Ringside (@ESPNRingside) May 12, 2024
Round Four
Lomachenko pressures his opponent into the corner, but Kambosos works out effectively and hits the body. Lomachenko’s left hand is starting to land with more consistency. He takes it to the body. Lomachenko pushes his advantage with a combination, snapping Kambosos’ head back. Good left hand scores for the Ukranian. Double jab from Lomachenko. Multiple left hands from Lomachenko. Dominant round from “Hi-Tech!”
10-9 Lomachenko
LOMA GETTING COMFY pic.twitter.com/pQ3Rt49vmE
— ESPN Ringside (@ESPNRingside) May 12, 2024
Round Five
Lomachenko has swelled to a -2500 favorite to start the fifth. Lomachenko has absolutely entered the matrix, making Kambosos miss with a wild consistency. Kambosos finds a good left hook downstairs. Stiff jab scores for Lomachenko, then he sneaks a left hand inside. Clean left hand counter for Lomachenko. A left hand from Lomachenko wobbles Kambosos, then a 2-1 connects.
10-9 Lomachenko
Beware when Loma downloads the info… pic.twitter.com/KDDAjIEnil
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) May 12, 2024
Round Six
Lomachenko takes his left hand up and down early in the sixth. Then a hard left hand connection. Good left hook counter scores for Kambosos. The Australian fires a combination and finds the body. Lomachenko works inside and lands a choppy left hand. Kambosos had a solid 30 seconds, but he still lost the round.
10-9 Lomachenko
Round Seven
Lomachenko’s 2-1 combo can’t miss. He backs Kambosos into the corner with pressure and the jab, and Kambosos briefly slips to the floor. Back in the corner, Kambosos eats a left to the body then a left upstairs. Another good body shot from Lomachenko. Lots of body work from Lomachenko this round. He takes a couple lefts upstairs near the bell, and Kambosos tries to answer with a flurry.
10-9 Lomachenko
Round Eight
Kambosos’ eye is looking a bit rough. Lomachenko doubles up the left hand and lands well. Two Loma jabs find their target. Clubbing left scores for Lomachenko. Kambosos finds a shot to the body, but Lomacheno dings him up with more left hands. Suddenly, that cut is fully open.
10-9 Lomachenko
VINTAGE @VasylLomachenko. #LomaKambosos | LIVE ON @ESPN pic.twitter.com/t2vDXgbhHI
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) May 12, 2024
Round Nine
Lomachenko scores with a jab, evades the counter, and cracks Kambosos with a left. Kambosos finds a right hand counter to the mid-section, which is the only blow that’s landed with any consistency for him. Lomachenko gets into the clinch and lands awkward lefts over the top. Another good body shot from Kambosos, but Lomachenko answers with a hard 1-2 down the middle. Looping left scores for Loma. He sneaks to the outside angle and doubles up his left hand to good effect. Lomachenko right hook scores in an exchange.
10-9 Lomachenko
Round Ten
Hard counter right hook scores from Lomachenko. Kambosos is a bit more aggressive in this round, but he cannot find his target with any consistency. Lomachenko sticks a jab and blocks some body shots. More good jabs from Loma. Another Lomachenko left splits the guard.
10-9 Lomachenko
Round Eleven
A series of jabs backs Kambosos up, then he stings his opponent with a left. Lomachenko takes an outside angle and scores a three punch combination. A brief bit of dirty boxing between the two inside. Lomachenko lands a hard left upstairs that seems to hurt Kambosos, then a body shot puts him to a knee. He gets back to his feet for a moment, but Lomachenko swarms him! More body shots put Kambosos back on the canvas, and the referee waves it off! That’s it! Lomachenko once again has a belt!
“LOMACHENKO IS A CHAMPION AGAIN” #LomaKambosos pic.twitter.com/5tSFqH8ein
— ESPN Ringside (@ESPNRingside) May 12, 2024
Final result: Lomachenko defeats Kambosos via 11th round knockout
For complete Top Rank Boxing: “Lomachenko vs. Kambosos” results and play-by-play, click HERE.