On this day in 2017, one of boxing’s top fighters achieved a remarkable victory.
Joe Rogan has expressed the belief that Roy Jones Jr. was unfairly stripped of his Olympic gold medal following his controversial loss to Park Si-hoon in 1988.
This incident may have heightened Jones Jr.’s admiration for the two fighters who have successfully reached comparable heights.
Earlier this year, Vasily Lomachenko shared the reasons behind his decision to retire from boxing at the age of 37.
Considered by many as one of the greatest amateur boxers ever, Lomachenko faced an opponent in his professional career who also had outstanding achievements before turning pro.
On December 9, 2017, Lomachenko fought Guillermo Rigondeaux for the WBO super featherweight title at Madison Square Garden in New York. The bout was highly anticipated and called “the greatest professional fight ever fought” by Roy Jones Jr., largely due to both fighters’ extraordinary amateur records—Lomachenko with a 396-1 record and two Olympic golds (2008, 2012), and Rigondeaux with around 475 amateur fights, 12 losses, and two Olympic gold medals (2000, 2004).
Despite Rigondeaux’s exceptional defensive skills, his early injury—he reportedly broke his left hand—and his retirement after six rounds left Lomachenko as the dominant fighter, winning decisively on the scorecards. This victory added to Lomachenko’s reputation for making opponents quit early, having stopped three previous opponents before the final round.
After the fight, Lomachenko humorously suggested adopting the nickname “No Mas Chenko” to reflect his knack for forcing his foes to give up, though he downplayed the significance of the win due to Rigondeaux not fighting at his natural weight.
Fan Take: Lomachenko’s win over Rigondeaux is a defining moment that underscores his unique skill and tactical brilliance, captivating fight fans worldwide. This match also highlights the depth of talent in boxing’s lighter divisions and serves as a reminder of how the sport continues to evolve with such exceptional fighters.
