Vasyl Lomachenko vs. Romulo Koasicha: Fight Time, Date, Live Stream and TV Info
WBO featherweight champion Vasyl "Hi-Tech" Lomachenko (4-1, 2 KO) will defend his title against Romulo Koasicha (25-4, 15 KO) on Saturday night in Las Vegas. The bout is the co-featured fight on the undercard of Timothy Bradley vs. Brandon Rios.
When: Saturday, Nov. 7, at 9:30 p.m. ET
Where: Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas
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TV: HBO
Live Stream: BoxNation
Lomachenko has only had five professional fights, but he's already one of the 10-15 best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. Some will wait for Lomachenko to face and beat more notable competition, but after watching the 27-year-old Ukrainian in action against Orlando Salido and Gary Russell Jr., Hi-Tech passes the eye test with flying colors.
Salido earned the split-decision victory in March 2014, but Lomachenko was coming on with a vengeance in the second half of the fight. He simply ran out of time. Against Russell Jr.—one of the most physically gifted fighters in the sport—Lomachenko proved to have comparable speed, better punching accuracy and superior footwork.
He secured a majority decision in that bout to win his world title in June 2014.
Koasicha is a rugged, 24-year-old Mexican fighter getting his first shot at a world title. As if he didn't have enough to worry about with Lomachenko, Koasicha must also quickly acclimate himself with the brighter lights associated with a televised Las Vegas bout.
He's never fought in the United States before, and just one of his previous bouts has taken place outside of Mexico. That was a lopsided unanimous-decision loss to Lee Selby in May 2014.
The Last Time Out
Lomachenko Stops Rodriguez (May 2, 2015, Las Vegas)
Gamalier Rodriguez showed grit and determination in lasting eight-plus rounds with Lomachenko, but ultimately, the champion's speed and skill overwhelmed him. A combination forced Rodriguez to take a knee in the ninth round. Seconds after looking to his corner for a potential rescue, Rodriguez didn't respond to referee Robert Byrd's count.
He didn't look as badly hurt as he was frustrated and mentally broken. Lomachenko put on an incredible display of footwork, level-changing punching and hand speed. This was a fight that probably never should've been made. Rodriguez was clearly outclassed.
Koasicha Too Much for Avila (July 24, 2015, Mexico City)
Koasicha used a relentless assault on the body to chop down Guillermo Avila en route to a seventh-round TKO win. Avila was game, but he simply couldn't match Koasicha's power.
The latter's left hook to the body was especially effective, as he floored Avila on two occasions with this punch. In the victory, Koasicha showed great balance and looked every bit the part of a lean boxer-puncher in the featherweight division.
That said, he's about to step into the ring with an opponent whose talent level is beyond anything he's seen in his career.
What's at Stake
Lomachenko is seemingly biding his time. There are a few potential fights for him on the horizon, namely a scrap with former WBA featherweight champion Nicholas Walters. Lomachenko would likely have to go up to super featherweight to make that fight, as Walters lost his title on the scales in his last bout with Miguel Marriaga.
There's also the possibility of facing WBO super bantamweight champion Guillermo Rigondeaux. The two men have similar amateur backgrounds and dynamic skill sets. Per ESPN.com's Dan Rafael, Lomachenko would've preferred to fight Rigondeaux instead of Koasicha, but when that didn't happen, he took what promoter Top Rank Boxing delivered to him.
"I don't know much—nothing, really—about my opponent," Lomachenko said. "My promoter, Top Rank, made the match, and I am good with it. I will be ready and am anxious to get back into the ring."
If Lomachenko has a slip-up against Koasicha, he won't have to worry about chasing Walters or Rigondeaux. Doubts about his legitimacy will be rekindled, and he'll again have to prove himself worthy of being called elite.
Koasicha has the opportunity of a lifetime. The 24-year-old Mexican is getting a shot at a legitimate world title in his American debut. A win would undoubtedly change his life. A strong showing would even present a whole new set of opportunities.
Prediction
Koasicha is not a tomato can, but he's also not on Lomachenko's level. The body punching is an intriguing element in this fight, but it's hard not to imagine Lomachenko changing angles and disturbing any rhythm Koasicha attempts to establish.
Count on another virtuoso performance from Lomachenko as he coasts to a lopsided unanimous-decision win.
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