Vasyl Lomachenko vs. Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo: TV Fight Time, Date and Live Stream
After winning his first world title in June, WBO featherweight champion Vasyl Lomachenko (2-1, 1 KO) is ready for his first defense. On the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao vs. Chris Algieri pay-per-view event, Lomachenko will defend his title against mandatory challenger Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo (52-1, 33 KO).
Lomachenko has had very few pro fights, but his lengthy amateur career has prepared him well for the best fighters in his weight class.
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He defeated highly touted prospect Gary Russell Jr. to win the title, and he hung with current interim WBO super featherweight champion Orlando Salido in March. Lomachenko will be facing another seasoned veteran in Piriyapinyo.
The challenger has gone the distance with former champion Chris John. That bout is the only blemish on Piriyapinyo's record. Lomachenko will be looking to add a second. Here's how you can watch.
When: Saturday, Nov. 22 at 9 a.m.
Where: Cotai Arena, Venetian Resort, Macao, Macao S.A.R., China
TV: HBO PPV
Live Stream: BoxNation (subscription required and region restricted)
The Book on Piriyapinyo
The aforementioned bout with John was not a great showing for Piriyapinyo. He did go the distance, but the Indonesian legend pretty much battered him throughout the fight.
Piriyapinyo showed great toughness and resolve in the bout, but it was clear he was in over his head. That fight took place in 2012, so it's possible Piriyapinyo could have improved since then.
He has certainly been active.
The 29-year-old Thai boxer is 8-0 since his loss to John, and he's stopped six of those eight opponents. Still, he has an extremely tough task ahead of him in the Ukrainian champion.
The Book on Lomachenko
Lomachenko has his share of haters. Many scoffed at the fact that the 26-year-old received a world title shots after one pro fight. Despite losing in his first chance at gold, he was immediately given a second chance.
Nevertheless, he has proved he belongs in the same ring with the best in his weight class.
Early on against Salido, he looked overmatched by the wily and rugged Mexican veteran. Later in the bout, Lomachenko seemed to make some adjustments. He was getting the better of his opponent in the last three rounds, but he had dug himself a hole he couldn't get out of.
He lost the unanimous decision. It took just three months for Lomachenko to get a second shot at the title.
Against Russell Jr., there was no slow start. Facing an opponent with superior hand speed, Lomachenko displayed his own above-average athleticism, superior fundamentals and power en route to a majority decision and his first world title.
Lomachenko and his team are clearly looking at big things in the future. Per ESPN.com's Dan Rafael, Lomachenko's Top Rank promoters would like to match him against undefeated WBA super featherweight champion Nicholas Walters in 2015.
Walters just decimated Nonito Donaire in October, so he's a dangerous opponent and a hot name in the sport. Heading into this fight, it doesn't appear as though Piriyapinyo is being viewed as a threat to Lomachenko's new title reign.
"When Lomachenko fought Gary Russell, it was for the vacant title, so there is a mandatory lingering around. It’s a Thai guy, Piriyapinyo, who has an unbelievable record and went the distance with Chris John. It’s probably not a fight that makes sense in the U.S. and that the mandatory is from Thailand provides us with a good platform to get rid of the obligation and showcase what a great fighter Lomachenko is. That’s why we’re doing it on the Pacquiao card.
"
Is Lomachenko looking past Piriyapinyo? If so, is Lomachenko so much better than Piriyapinyo that it won't matter?
Prediction
The short answer is yes.
Lomachenko's hand and foot speed should befuddle the challenger for as long as this fight lasts. Though we've only had a small sample size, Lomachenko hasn't looked like a fighter prone to lackluster efforts.
He'll be serious and focused for the bout, and that will result in an early TKO victory for the champion.
Follow Brian Mazique on Twitter. I dig boxing and MMA.
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