A Closer Look at the Undercard of the Vasily Lomachenko vs. George Kambosos Jr. Fight

Two former lightweight champions will fight it out for a top spot again when they clash on May 11. A walking boxing legend, Vasiliy Lomachenko, attempts to conquer hostile territory as he enters the RAC Arena in Perth this Saturday with a vacant IBF gold strap on the line. Welcoming him is George Kambosos Jr., who would like to turn his fortunes around. While that’s a blockbuster fight promising exciting action, the event is more of a hit-and-miss.

As boxing fans, when we look at the undercard, at first glance, it doesn’t invoke any excitement. Most of the names on the card are relatively unknown. So, is it really a well-put card by Bob Arum and Top Rank? Let’s take a look.

Not the Best!

Andrew Moloney will look to end his 4-year-long title drought as he hopes to insert himself into championship talks. In addition, he is tasked with supporting the headliner as he looks to clinch the vacant WBC interim super flyweight title against Pedro Guevara. The co-main event was jolted early when Carlos Cuadras dropped out of the fight after he injured his Achilles tendon. While Guevara saved the event, it surely dented the event’s allure.

As you go down the pecking order, you find more fights that may not dazzle fight-night audiences. While it has nothing to do with the fighters and their ability to turn in a mouth-watering display, a lack of well-known faces presents a small problem. The only other notable fight is Nina Hughes defending her WBA bantamweight title against Cherneka Johnson.

Amusingly, the British champion is 41 and started her pro career at 39 as she took inspiration from televised fights. Meanwhile, Johnson has produced a mixed 2-2 result in her 4 fights and is coming off a one-year layoff. Then you have Imam Khataev vs. Ricards Bolotniks, the main card opener, a clash between two light heavyweights who are relatively unknown.

Most of the fighters on the undercard have either produced mixed results in recent days or have just started their pro careers. It’s not a perfect blend of style matchups and exhilarating action fights. Moreover, none of the outcomes from fights will produce a ripple effect on any of the divisions apart from the Hughes vs. Johnson fight.

Vasiliy Lomachenko vs. George Kambosos Jr.: a one-sided affair

The main event is a typical brawler vs. technical fighter contest, where Kambosos is known for heading straight into pockets to trade and Lomachenko relies on his speed, movement, and awkward angles to gain an advantage over opponents. While Kambosos, at 21-2, carries the height, reach, and size advantage, he is not as technically gifted and as fast as Lomachenko.

The Ukrainian fighter at 36, is now preparing for an all-out career revival since his controversial decision loss against Devin Haney last year, which many believed he won. Despite his older age and smaller frame, ‘The Matrix’ is a clear favorite to emerge victorious. Unless the Aussie fighter can motivate himself to a performance similar to what he produced against Teofimo Lopez, it will be curtains on his run against top fighters in the lightweight division.

The undercard for the Lomachenko vs. Kambosos Jr. fight features some up-and-coming boxers. While the names may not be familiar to everyone, it could be a chance to discover new fighters to follow. Fans have a few options to consider. Watching the entire event provides the full experience, but some viewers might prefer to simply stay updated on the main event results. But if you do decide to watch the event and are willing to pay for it, how can you do it?

Where and how can you watch Lomachenko vs. Kambosos Jr.?

The high-voltage clash between Lomachenko and Kambosos Jr. will stream on ESPN+ in the United States, where a monthly subscription costs $10.99 and $109.99 for an annual subscription. If you are tuning in from the UK, Sky Sports is the service that you can opt for.

You can catch the undercard action live from 10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT or 3 a.m. GMT. If you are only interested in the main event, Lomachenko and Kambosos will walk to the center of the ring around 12 a.m. ET/ 9 p.m. PT, or 5 a.m. GMT.

What do you make of this coming event in Vasily Lomachenko vs. George Kambosos Jr.? Let us know in the comments below.