Jorge Linares vs Vasyl Lomachenko: Another step-up, another win predicted

This Saturday, Jorge Linares will defend his WBA and Ring magazine lightweight titles against a man who is arguably the best fighter on the planet, Vasyl Lomachenko, at the Madison Square Garden in New York.

Lomachenko, who was Boxing Guru's 2017 fight of the year, comes into this fight 10-1 having only lost to Orlando Salido for the WBO featherweight title in his second fight four years ago.

Since then, he has terrorised everyone he has fought and his resume is simply getting better and better. Having schooled the unbeaten Gary Russell Jr. he has subsequently made Nicholas Walters, Miguel Marriaga and Guillermo Rigondeaux all quit in his pursuit for as many world titles in as many weight divisions as possible.

His style is something I have never seen before in a boxing ring. The movement, ring IQ and ability to stay within range of his opponents while slipping punches and firing back is on another level to anyone else in world boxing right now.

This fight will be in his third weight division in just 12 fights and it is against a very dangerous Linares, who is looking to cement his place firmly among the top 10.

Having been written off after back-to-back defeats against Antonio DeMarco and Sergio Thompson with people questioning his heart, he has fought back to land himself two world titles in the division and the prestigious Ring magazine belt, which he won against Anthony Crolla.

There still remain question marks over Linares though, who is yet to truly test himself at the top level of the sport with fans calling for a fight with Mikey Garcia over the past year or so.

That fight is one Linares and Oscar de la Hoya have been avoiding however, they have been given a perfect out by taking on one of the technically gifted fighters around.

There are evidently big questions marks over whether Lomachenko will be able to trouble Linares with his power however, his skill should be plenty enough to bring him through this one relatively unscathed as the Colombian does not possess enough to truly trouble him.

Prediction: Vasyl Lomachenko points

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