Adviser Leonard Ellerbe says he understands why light-weight champion Vasily Lomachenko selected to not battle 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 a terrific profession. Certainly, Lomachenko captured three division world titles and selected to battle at 135 when he might have stayed on high 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 Could twelfth.
Ellerbe states {that a} battle between Lomachenko (18-3, 12 KOs) and WBA light-weight champion Tank Davis (30-0, 28 KOs) is the largest one Loma’s promoters at High Rank could make.
Tank Davis is tentatively scheduled to defend towards Lamont Roach on March 1st, 2025. That’s a battle 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 so much occurring, particularly with what his nation has been by way of,” stated Leonard Ellerbe to Okay.O. Artist Sports activities about Vasily Lomachenko deciding to not take the battle with Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis presently.
It’s believed that Lomachenko opted to not battle Tank Davis subsequent due to these causes:
- Judging worries: Lomachenko misplaced a controversial choice to Devin Haney on Could 20, 2023, and he’s sad with the judging for that battle.
- Not motivated sufficient: The motivation isn’t there to return to the ring for what can be a troublesome battle towards Tank.
- Threat Not Value It: Preventing Tank Davis at this level in Loma’s profession would contain loads of threat, and it might finish badly for him.
- Being Set as much as Lose: Did Tank wait till Lomachenko bought previous earlier than preventing him? That might be a purpose for Loma’s reluctance to battle him.
“I’ve nothing however respect for him, Egis, they usually realize it’s the largest battle they might humanely presumably make,” Ellerbe continued about Lomachenko. “It’s the largest battle for High Rank that they’ll make, they usually know what it’s.
“So, if he [Lomachenko] chooses to journey off into the sundown, so be it. He’s had a very good profession, and I respect him. He is aware of what it’s going up towards Tank Davis. He positively is aware of what that appears like.”
Some followers consider 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 battle to make sure victory. Lomachenko had wished to battle 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 battle that I assumed 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 Large Tuna’ Tank battle is #1 ranked William Zepeda, who’s essentially the most entertaining fighter among the many contenders and prepared for a world title shot.