Ukrainian boxing as the heir to the Soviet school of this sport is today famous for outstanding athletes. It is difficult to overestimate their achievements, as fighters win and win leading international tournaments, becoming champions in both amateur and professional competitions. And one of the bright talents of boxing in Ukraine today is Lomachenko Vasily.
Facts from the biography
Vasily Lomachenko was born on February 17, 1988 in the Odessa region (the city of Belgorod-Dniester). Initially, his coach was father Anatoly Lomachenko, and after that - Joseph Katz. He graduated from the South Ukrainian State Pedagogical University. K. Ushinsky. Married, has two children (son Anatoly, daughter Victoria). His hobby is cars, reading books and football.
The first steps in boxing
The beginning of martial arts for a young Ukrainian was in 1994. It was then that Lomachenko Vasily began to train and advocate for the Kolos physical culture and sports society. Even then, his industriousness was noted by the coaching staff of the club.
Lovers Career
In 2004, at the European Championships held in Saratov, the fighter won first place in the category of up to 46 kilograms. At the same tournament, he was awarded as the best boxer with a commemorative cup. And a year later, Vasily becomes the champion of Ukraine among adults in weight up to 51 kilograms.
In 2006, Lomachenko Vasily wins the world championship among juniors.
In 2007, the athlete wins the tournament in memory of Semyon Trestin; in the final of the World Cup, held in Chicago, becomes the second, losing only to Albert Selimov in the decisive battle.
This was followed by a victory at the European Championship, the venue of which was English Liverpool. Lomachenko Vasily became the first in the category up to 57 kg and was again named the best boxer of the tournament, regardless of the weight category.
The year 2008 was marked by the fact that a native of Ukraine was able to become the Olympic champion in Beijing. In the final of the games, Vasily defeated the Frenchman Hedafi Jelhir. In addition, Lomachenko received another prestigious prize - the Val Barker Cup, awarded to the most technical fighter.
The next gold medal of the European Championship found a Ukrainian fighter in 2009. In the final, he defeated boxer from Russia Sergey Vodopyanov. In the same year, Lomachenko became the strongest boxer in the world according to AIBA.
Unfortunately, in 2010, Vasily, due to a serious injury, is left out of the competition. However, after a one-year forced downtime in 2011, he successfully returned to the ring at the World Championships in Baku, where he again became the winner, but already weighing up to 60 kilograms.
In 2012, Vasily again becomes an Olympic hero, winning the second gold in a row at the Olympics in London.
In total, Lomachenko’s amateur career has 397 fights, of which he lost only one.
Semi-professional fights
After a triumphant march for several years as an amateur boxer, Vasily Lomachenko becomes a participant in the fights of the semi-professional league WSB, with which he signs a contract. His new club is Ukrainian Atamans. The head coach of the team is Mikhail Melnik. For the first time, Atamanov Lomachenko enters the ring in 2013.
Prosperity in professionals
Undoubtedly, the best fights of Vasily Lomachenko are yet to come. But now it is safe to say that he completely took place as an athlete and a champion.
July 26, 2013 Vasily and his coach signed a contract with the famous promotion company Top Rank.
On the evening of October 2, 2013, there was a magnificent boxing performed by a Ukrainian. The fight between Vasily Lomachenko and Jose Ramirez ended with a knockout victory for the young Mexican in the 4th round after a blow to the liver.
This victory allowed Vasily to make an incredible career leap: to enter the second professional match to fight with the champion Orlando Salido. But the historical breakthrough was not destined to come true. Lomachenko lost to the Mexican on points, according to the decision of the judges. It is worth noting that an experienced Mexican fighter repeatedly used dirty tricks and in every possible way affected the young applicant with various, not entirely correct methods, such as blows from the waist down, on the back of his head and so on. However, the referee stubbornly did not notice these violations in the ring by a strange coincidence of circumstances.
But still, the long-awaited title was not far off. In June 2014, Lomachenko wins the WBO World Champion Belt in a weight of up to 57.2 kg, defeating the American Gary Russell.
In May 2015, the battle "Vasily Lomachenko - Gamalier Rodriguez" takes place. All the claims of the Puerto Rican were in vain. Moreover, in the seventh round, Rodriguez was knocked down after missed blows from the Ukrainian to the liver and solar plexus. In the 9th round, the fight was stopped after a successful series of attacks from Lomachenko.
The near future of the Ukrainian athlete
The third defense of the title of Vasily Lomachenko will be held on November 7, 2015 against twenty-four-year-old Mexican Romulo Coasich. The fight will take place in Las Vegas (Nevada, USA). Note that this fight will be held as part of a boxing evening, the main duel of which is scheduled to meet in the ring Timothy Bradley and Brandon Rios.
Rumors of a possible battle between Lomachenko and Cuban Guillermo Rigondo are also actively circulating . But at the moment, this battle has no official confirmation, although Rigondo allegedly offered the Ukrainians one and a half million US dollars for the battle by contacting him through social networks. What will happen next? Time will tell. We, in turn, wish the young fighter from Ukraine success in the ring and bright victories.