He looked the same physically, talked normally, and gave off the sort of confidence that fans had grown accustomed to. However, as Vasiliy Lomachenko walked through those pugilistic ropes to take on Jamaine Ortiz, Shakur Stevenson instantly knew that something was off.
On October 29th, at the Hulu Theater in New York’s Madison Square Garden, Stevenson clasped his hands and watched from his palatial estate as Lomachenko (17-2, 11 KOs) made his return. But while oddsmakers were convinced that the now 34-year-old would have a relatively easy time in the ring, Ortiz forced the former two-time Olympic gold medalist into a dog fight.
The bemusing angles, witty offensive attack, and timely defensive skills all appeared a step slow. But after lending a helping hand to his native land of Ukraine during the ongoing Russian invasion, Lomachenko was simply ecstatic to end a near one-year layoff.
Although he would go on to eke out the victory, Stevenson was far from impressed. Considering the dust that continues to pile onto his birth certificate, coupled with what could be deteriorating skills, and Stevenson is now of the belief that Lomachenko’s time near the top of the lightweight mountain has officially come to an end.
“Lomachenko is too small for 135 at this point I feel like,” said Stevenson during an interview with Ringside Views. “And he’s getting older. In his last fight, he looked terrible to me.”
Despite his critiques, Lomachenko now finds himself perfectly positioned to take on current undisputed kingpin, Devin Haney. Although negotiations have somewhat stalled, the two could ultimately collide on May 20th, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Haney, of course, solidified himself as the man to beat following back-to-back lopsided victories against George Kambosos Jr. With Haney’s bout against Lomachenko nearing, Stevenson appears apathetic towards his chances at pulling off the upset. In fact, at this stage in his career, Stevenson doesn’t believe that Lomachenko can even be competitive with his much younger foe.
“I think Devin smokes him. He probably jabs him all night, moves, right hands. He’s gonna outbox Lomachenko. I just think Devin is too big, too fast.”