LOMACHENKO RIGONDEAUX CLOSE FOR DEC


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Lomachenko-vs.-Rigondeaux_Lorin-Elise.jp

BY MIKE COPPINGER

One of the best fights that can be made in the sport is close to fruition.

Top Rank CEO Bob Arum told RingTV.com on Saturday, moments after Terence Crawford knocked out Julius Indongo, that Vasyl Lomachenko will return December 9 in New York. Lomachenko’s return is slated to take place at the Theater at Madison Square Garden and be televised on ESPN.

Two fighters have been in the running for weeks: Orlando Salido, who owns the only professional victory over Lomachenko, and Guillermo Rigondeaux, the 122-pound ruler who is rated No. 6 on THE RING’s pound-for-pound list.

Arum declined to divulge the opponent, but said that a deal is done. Multiple sources told RingTV.com that Rigondeaux and promoter Roc Nation Sports are close to finalizing a deal to match Rigondeaux against Lomachenko (9-1, 7 knockouts) in a bout for the Ukrainian’s WBO 130-pound title. Rigondeaux (17-0, 11 KOs) would move up eight pounds for the opportunity.

They’re also two of the best fighters in the world, period, with Lomachenko ranked only one slot ahead of Rigondeaux on THE RING’s pound-for-pound list at No. 5.

“It would be a historic milestone in my professional career,” the 85-year-old Hall of Famer said about the potential matchup. “It’s never been done before: Each of them winning two gold medals, fighting each other, is something special. That will be remembered in history.

“Rigondeaux is a helluva fighter, if it’s Rigondeaux (who gets the call to fight Lomachenko). He’s not going to be boring with Lomachenko. Lomachenko won’t let him be boring.”

Rigondeaux, the former RING junior featherweight champion, has found trouble securing marquee fights due to the high risk he presents, yet little reward he brings to the table due to his safety-first style.

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