MANILA, Philippines – A showdown with Manny Pacquiao is something Ukrainian star Vasyl Lomachenko would be very proud of.
After a virtuoso performance against Nicholas Walters on Sunday to defend his WBO super featherweight title, there is interest in pitting Lomachenko against Pacquiao.
And the 28-year-old spitfire boxer is very much welcome to it, according to a boxingscene.com report by Keith Idec.
“I very much respect Manny Pacquiao,” said Lomachenko, who forced Walters to quit on his stool at the end of the seventh round, as the Jamaican was unable to match the champion’s speed and overall skill.
The win affirmed Lomachenko’s reputation as one of the best fighters on the planet. More importantly, it could pave the way for a huge clash with Pacquiao.
“I like Manny Pacquiao and I would be very proud if somebody would give me that opportunity, to fight Manny Pacquiao,” added Lomachenko.
Pacquiao, however, campaigns at the welterweight division, and has recently regained the WBO welterweight championship by dethroning Jessie Vargas last November 6.
But the Filipino icon’s best fighting weight is believed to be between 135 and 140 pounds (lightweight and super lightweight, respectively), meaning a fight with Lomachenko would most likely be held at a catchweight.
Lomachenko, for his part, said he won’t fight beyond lightweight.
“Probably 135 [would be] the max because right now I came in the ring at 136 pounds,” he said.
Top Rank Inc. chief Bob Arum, meanwhile, said he is mulling to arrange a Pacquiao-Lomachenko fight late next year.
ESPN.com’s Dan Rafael tweeted that Arum plans to stage three bouts for Lomachenko in 2017, with the Pacquiao showdown as the highlight.
Spoke to @BobArum after #LomachenkoWalters. Wants to do Salido 2 next. Then have VLom go to UK vs @terryflanagan5. Then Manny in late '17.
— Dan Rafael (@danrafaelespn) November 27, 2016