ESPN+ Preview: The Return Of Loma

By: Sean Crose

At 10 PM jap time on Saturday, Vasyl Lomachenko will return to the ring for the primary time since his resolution loss to Teofimo Lopez in a excessive profile light-weight title bout final 12 months. This time, the fighter generally known as Loma will probably be taking over Japan’s Masayoshi Nakatani. This match ought to show fascinating for 2 causes. The primary is that it’ll present the world how Loma is taking care of the loss the Lopez. The second is that Nakatani, though maybe not as gifted as Loma, is significantly taller than the previous titlist and likewise is aware of tips on how to make use of his energy successfully.

The 19-1 Nakatani final fought in December when he stopped Felix Verdejo in 9. His solely loss was to Lopez, who bested him by way of resolution in 2019. All the man’s final 5 victories have occurred throughout the distance. As for the 14-2 Loma, he’s actually going to wish to get again on monitor after the Lopez bout. Not solely that, however he’s additionally going to wish to look spectacular within the course of. On the lookout for one other crack at Lopez, who fights beneath the identical High Rank Banner, Loma could have rather a lot to lose if he provides a lackluster efficiency on Saturday. The combat will probably be a scheduled 12 rounder.

Rising Kazakh middleweight Zhanibek Alimkhanuly may also be on the cardboard, and can purpose to enhance his file to 10-0 when he faces the 26-2 Rob Brant. Alimkhanuly has gained 5 of his 9 fights by means of knockout. His final combat was again in October of final 12 months when he received rid Gonzalo Coria within the second spherical. As for Brant, the person is trying to proceed his successful methods since being bested by Ryota Murata again in 2019. Brant’s solely combat since then has been an August 2020 win by way of retirement of Vitalii Kopylenko. The Alimkhaunly-Brant combat is scheduled for 10 rounds.

The cardboard will probably be broadcast dwell on ESPN+. There isn’t any doubt it’ll have some competitors, as DAZN will probably be airing a card on Saturday and Gervonta Davis will probably be going through Mario Barrios on Pay Per View. Loma, nonetheless, has been one of the vital dominant fighters of this period. The truth that that is his first displaying after a serious loss makes the cardboard notable for followers. The undercard will probably be broadcast dwell on ESPN+ beginning at 6:30 PM jap time on Saturday night time.