Vasiliy Lomachenko entered the pro ranks with a stellar amateur career and was ready for a world title after just one fight.
Vasiliy Lomachenko boasts the best amateur record in boxing, with 396 wins and just one loss, which he avenged twice.
The two-time Olympic gold medalist turned pro in 2013 with a KO win over 25-3 Jose Luis Ramirez. With a record of just 1-0, the Ukrainian challenged for the WBO world title against an opponent with over 50 fights.
Vasiliy Lomachenko challenged Orlando Salido for a world title in his second fight on the undercard of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
In his second fight, Lomachenko challenged 41-12-2 Orlando Salido. Salido had shared the ring with Manny Pacquiao‘s rival, Juan Manuel Marquez, as well as Yuriorkis Gamboa, who faced Terence Crawford and Devin Haney.
Despite his losses, Salido was a seasoned veteran of the sport, and Lomachenko was perhaps just a little too green at the time of the fight.
The fight was especially close, with one judge scoring it 115-113 in Lomachenko’s favor. The other two judges, however, scored the fight 115-113 and 116-112 Salido. Lomachenko lost to Salido, and had to wait for another title shot.
Lomachenko took his first-ever loss in his second fight on the undercard of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., who will face Jake Paul next, vs Brian Vera. Chavez beat Vera by unanimous decision.
Vasiliy Lomachenko has lost twice since premature title shot
After his defeat, Lomachenko would win his next 13 fights. In that time, he defeated Olympian Luke Campbell, who dropped Ryan Garcia, Jose Pedraza, who Tank beat for a world title, and Guillermo Rigondeaux, who plans to return to the ring aged 44.
Following his win over Campbell, Lomachenko faced Teofimo Lopez in 2020. Lopez proved his worth, becoming the first man to beat Lomachenko with a decisive performance and unanimous decision win.
Lomachenko lost four fights later by unanimous decision to Devin Haney in a fight many believe ‘The Matrix’ should’ve won.