Adviser Leonard Ellerbe says he understands why light-weight champion Vasily Lomachenko selected to not combat Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis this yr, however he’s open to the potential for it occurring later.
Ellerbe isn’t certain if Lomachenko will retire, but when he does, he’ll respect that call as a result of he feels he’s had an ideal profession. Certainly, Lomachenko captured three division world titles and selected to combat at 135 when he may have stayed on prime for a few years if he had remained at 130 or 126.
Lomachenko, 36, has taken the rest of 2024 off after capturing the IBF light-weight title with an Eleventh-round knockout of George Kambosos Jr. on Might twelfth.
Ellerbe states {that a} combat between Lomachenko (18-3, 12 KOs) and WBA light-weight champion Tank Davis (30-0, 28 KOs) is the most important one Loma’s promoters at Prime Rank could make.
Tank Davis is tentatively scheduled to defend towards Lamont Roach on March 1st, 2025. That’s a combat that has been postponed a number of instances since initially being scheduled for December 14th.
Why Did Lomachenko Select to Take Time Off?
“He simply determined to take the remainder of the yr off. He had rather a lot occurring, particularly with what his nation has been by means of,” stated Leonard Ellerbe to Okay.O. Artist Sports activities about Vasily Lomachenko deciding to not take the combat with Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis at the moment.
It’s believed that Lomachenko opted to not combat Tank Davis subsequent due to these causes:
- Judging worries: Lomachenko misplaced a controversial determination to Devin Haney on Might 20, 2023, and he’s sad with the judging for that combat.
- Not motivated sufficient: The motivation is just not there to return to the ring for what can be a tough combat towards Tank.
- Danger Not Price It: Combating Tank Davis at this level in Loma’s profession would contain loads of threat, and it may finish badly for him.
- Being Set as much as Lose: Did Tank wait till Lomachenko bought outdated earlier than preventing him? That may very well be a cause for Loma’s reluctance to combat him.
“I’ve nothing however respect for him, Egis, they usually realize it’s the most important combat they might humanely probably make,” Ellerbe continued about Lomachenko. “It’s the most important combat for Prime Rank that they will make, they usually know what it’s.
“So, if he [Lomachenko] chooses to experience off into the sundown, so be it. He’s had profession, and I respect him. He is aware of what it’s going up towards Tank Davis. He undoubtedly is aware of what that appears like.”
Some followers imagine Lomachenko feels that Tank Davis deliberately waited till he bought in his mid-30s earlier than preventing him. In different phrases, Tank aged him out earlier than agreeing to make this combat to make sure victory. Lomachenko had wished to combat Tank six years in the past in 2018, however was ignored.
Tank Davis’ Sweepstakes: Who’s Subsequent?
“He’s a warrior at coronary heart, he’s a champion. Tank isn’t going to sit down round and wait. If it pops off, it pops off, and if it doesn’t, the present goes on. It was a combat that I believed was going to occur, however the present has bought to go on. You need to transfer on to the following. Who’s up subsequent? Who else goes to win the Tank sweepstakes?” stated Ellerbe.
The best fortunate sweepstakes winner for ‘The Huge Tuna’ Tank combat is #1 ranked William Zepeda, who’s essentially the most entertaining fighter among the many contenders and prepared for a world title shot.
