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Ruthless Lomachenko claims IBF Lightweight title with Kambosos TKO
The Ukrainian employed a masterful strategy of “adjusting to opponent” to secure victory
Perth, Australia – In a captivating showdown, Ukraine’s Vasiliy Lomachenko delivered a devastating technical knockout (TKO) in the 11th round of his bout against local favorite George Kambosos Jr., claiming the vacant IBF lightweight championship title at the RAC Arena in Perth on Sunday.
Lomachenko’s Dominance
“Loma,” as the two-time Olympic gold medalist is known, thoroughly dominated the fight, showcasing his technical superiority and ring generalship. Kambosos struggled to land meaningful blows and found himself on the receiving end of Lomachenko’s precise combinations and counter-punches.
Adjusting to Opponent
After the fight, Lomachenko, who is approaching the twilight of his illustrious career, revealed his winning strategy: “My plan was to adjust to my opponent.” This approach allowed him to adapt to Kambosos’s style, exploit his weaknesses, and ultimately secure victory.
A Technical Masterclass
Lomachenko’s technical prowess was evident from the outset. He controlled the distance with his footwork, landed crisp jabs, and deftly evaded Kambosos’s attacks. As the fight progressed, Lomachenko’s combinations became increasingly potent, leading to a sickening left hook in the eighth round that left Kambosos with a bloodied right eye.
Resilience of Kambosos
Despite the overwhelming dominance displayed by Lomachenko, Kambosos demonstrated his fighting spirit by refusing to wilt under pressure. He absorbed Lomachenko’s punches and managed to land some of his own. However, his resilience proved insufficient to overcome Lomachenko’s technical brilliance.
A Satisfied Champion
After the victory, Lomachenko expressed his satisfaction with his performance. “I’m happy with the way I fought,” he said. “I was able to adapt to my opponent and find the right openings. It was a tough fight, but I’m thrilled to be the new IBF lightweight champion.”
Kambosos’s Tribute
Kambosos, who had captured the IBF title with a stunning upset victory over Teofimo Lopez in 2021, paid tribute to his opponent. “Lomachenko is one of the greatest fighters in history,” he said. “I’m not ashamed of this loss. I gave it my all and he was simply better on the night.”
Next Steps
With this victory, Lomachenko has once again proven his status as one of the elite fighters in boxing. He now holds titles in three different weight classes and has set his sights on unifying the lightweight division. Meanwhile, Kambosos will look to regroup and reassess his options as he seeks to regain his place among the top fighters in the sport.