Vasyl Lomachenko destroys Roman Martinez in NYC, captures 2nd title in 7th fight
By Rich Mazon
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 12 Jun 2016
New York - Vasyl Lomachenko continued his rise in the professional ranks by capturing another world title in another division with a demolition job of erstwhile title holder - Puerto Rico's Roman Martinez (29-3-2, 17 KOs).
Lomachenko (6-1, 4 KOs) knocked out Martinez in the 5th round with a tremendous right hook and grabbed Martinez's WBO Junior Lightweight belt in the process. It was Lomachenko's 2nd world title in only his seventh professional bout.
The former Olympic gold medalist from the Ukraine was on point all night. His right hand was accurate since the opening round, he was able to hit a bewildered Martinez at will with his jabs and counters.
A left to the jaw by followed by that fatal right hook by Lomachenko flattened Martinez and Referee Danny Schiavone counted out the former champion while he was staring the bright lights of the Theatre at Madison Square Garden on his back.
"I need more fights to get better as a fighter. And I will keep getting better," Lomachenko said after his knockout victory.
"What I want is for all the best fighters to come together and find out who the best is. I want to line up all the fighters at 130 and find out who the best is," added the newly- crowned 130 pound king.
Lomachenko dedicated his win to his fellow Olympian and Olympic gold medalist - the late Muhammad Ali who was laid to rest yesterday in Louisville, Kentucky.
"I would like to dedicate my victory tonight to the best whoever laced the gloves Muhammad Ali."
VERDEJO HALTS MARTINEZ IN 5
In the co-main event of the night, Felix Verdejo dismantled Juan Jose Martinez (25-3, 17 KOs) of Mexico City, Mexico in five rounds to remind the boxing world that he is one of the sports' hottest prospects.
Fighting in front of a large Puerto Rican audience in New York, the undefeated Lightweight wowed the crowd with his strong and accurate punching against a forward-moving Martinez whose face bore the effects of Verdejo's punches.
Verdejo's left hooks left a big mark on his foe's left cheeks early in the 2nd and by the 3rd round- Martinez was bloodied and cut because of the Puerto Rican's hard lefts.
In the early moments of the 5th, Verdejo hurt Martinez and almost knocked him down but the ropes saved the Mexican from the floor. Verdejo chased his stunned foe and he unloaded mercilessly against Martinez.
Seeing a fighter at risk, Referee Mike Ortega stopped the onslaught at the 2:40 mark of the 5th to the delight of the pro-Verdejo supporters.
Verdejo climbs to 22-0 and 15 knockouts and held on to his WBO Latino Championship strap.
SHIMING SUCCESFUL IN US DEBUT
Popular Chinese fighter Zou Shiming made good in his US debut with a dominating Unanimous Decision victory over Jozsef Ajtai of Hungary.
Shiming, now 8-1 (2 KOs), stalked and attempted to engage Ajtai (15-3, 10 KOs) from the opening bell but the Hungarian fighter was content in evading and running away from his foe.
The multi-awarded Chinese flyweight threw jabs to set up his right hook but was unable to catch his elusive foe with any meaningful shots. Ajtai was even cheered by his corner when he made Shiming miss with his punches.
Scores were 100 - 89 across the board in all the judges at ringside. Ajtai was deducted a point in the 6th because of excessive holding.
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