Two-time Olympic boxing gold medallist Vasyl Lomachenko won a world title in just his third pro fight with an impressive majority decision over Gary Russell.
Ukraine’s Lomachenko improved to 2-1 with one knockout in his pro career as he captured the vacant World Boxing Organization featherweight title with victory over the previously unbeaten Russell on Saturday night.
By claiming the belt, Lomachenko matched Thailand’s Saensak Muangsurin’s record of winning a world title in only his third bout as a professional.
Lomachenko’s ambitious bid to win a world title in his second pro bout ended with a split decision defeat to Orlando Salido in San Antonio, Texas, on March 1.
But while Lomachenko didn’t take Salido’s belt that night, Salido didn’t keep it as he was stripped of the title for failing to make weight.
That opened the door for Lomachenko to have a second chance to claim the vacant crown against Russell. “I’m very, very happy, very excited to be a world champion,” said Lomachenko.
Two judges awarded the 26-year-old Ukrainian the decision by a score of 116-112, while the third judge saw it even, 114-114.
“I thought it was a fair decision,” admitted Russell, who fell to 24-1 with 14 knockouts. “I didn’t stick to my game plan like I should have.”
On the same card in an outdoor ring at the StubHub center, California’s Robert Guerrero won a furious 12-round battle with Japan’s Yoshihiro Kamegai.