“I would like to say this, Vasyl Lomachenko is technically the best fighter that I have seen since the early Muhammad Ali.” Anyone remember these lines? When Bob Arum said this years ago, despite acknowledging the Ukrainian’s skills, most felt the comparison was too steep. After all, drawing comparisons to a legend like Ali sets an almost impossible standard. Yet, while the Ali parallel might spark debate, it’s hard to deny the artistry Vasyl Lomachenko brings to the ring. Sure, he’s taken a few losses, but that doesn’t erase the fact that Lomachenko is one of the slickest, most technically gifted fighters the sport has ever seen. At least that’s what Joe Rogan thinks as well.

After his first career loss against Orlando Salida in his second pro fight many felt the two-time Olympic gold medalist was better off in the amateurs. But prove them wrong, he did. In an outstanding display of dominance, in just 13 fights, Loma went on to capture world titles in three different weight classes. However, in 2020, he ran into a young, hungry Teofimo Lopez and suffered his first real setback in the lightweight division. He bounced back the next year with some big notable wins, but then came another roadblock—Devin Haney in 2023. That one stung. Just when people thought Vasyl Lomachenko was done with the sport of boxing for good, boom—he roared back to life after a year-long hiatus. In 2024, he decimated George Kambosos Jr. to win the IBF lightweight champion. It was the kind of comeback that reminds you why, despite being 37, Loma is special. But what’s the secret here? Well, Joe Rogan has an idea.

Joe Rogan is in awe of the “magician”

A few days ago, Joe Rogan sat down with former chess prodigy Josh Waitzkin. While talking to the retired chess champion about the best position in terms of striking, the UFC color commentator decided to bring up the example of Lomachenko to make his point. In striking sports like boxing or MMA, positioning is everything. So, if you are a skillful southpaw fighting an orthodox fighter, taking an outside foot position is always beneficial, Joe Rogan posited. You want to be in the best spot to land your shots while making it as hard as possible for your opponent to hit you. Well, this is where Loma comes in. “The best ever at that is Vasyl Lomachenko. Because Lomachenko when he was young his father made him stop boxing for two years and just study Ukrainian dance,” declared Rogan.

Yes. But it was four, not two. You see, Loma’s father, the veteran boxing trainer Anatoly Lomachenko, who is one of the trainers of unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, halted his 9-year-old son’s boxing training to enroll him in traditional Ukrainian dance classes (Hopak) to help enhance his foot-work. It was all part of his plan to mold a better fighter. And it worked. Four years later, when Anatoly was convinced that the 13-year-old Vasyl had learned footwork very well, he ended the dance classes, and then it was back to boxing.

“It’s all about movement and position with this guy,” said Rogan, while looking at Loma’s highlights on the TV. “Like the way he moves is so different. It’s almost like he’s got just a radar for like where their punches are coming from and knows exactly where to put his feet at all times. No matter what they do, he knows what they’re going to do. But when you watch his footwork, it’s the most extraordinary thing. Because his ability to give you all sorts of different reads like incredible… It’s just the movement like he’s never right in front of you. He’s always off to the side, he’s always moving around, he jumps in and out, and it’s with perfect precision,” emphasized an impressed Joe Rogan.

But doesn’t all that movement throw him off balance? Nope. That’s what makes him special. A lot of fighters, when they move around too much, end up in awkward positions where they can’t throw a good punch. Not Lomachenko. He’s always perfectly set, always in a position to strike. He’ll be right in front of you one second, then—boom—he’s at your side or even behind you. “He’s never off balance, he’s never out of position. He’s always: ‘Slide his side, pop! Slide his side, pop! And you never know where the fu-k he is! He’s a magician. It’s fascinating to watch him fight and very few people have tried to incorporate that,” the 57-year-old explained.

And Joe Rogan is right. This is what makes Vasyl Lomachenko such a technically superior fighter, as Bob Arum said years ago. This is also the reason why his manager wants to desperately put him against another skillful boxer as soon as possible.

Vasyl Lomachenko is the real test for Gervonta Davis

After the crazy draw with Lamont Roach Jr. in Brooklyn, most people figured a rematch would be locked in ASAP. Makes sense, right? Fans want closure, and Roach definitely feels like he got robbed. But hold up—because not everyone is on board with Gervonta Davis running it back just yet. Egis Klimas, Vasyl Lomachenko’s manager wants Tank to fight Loma next. And honestly? That’s the lightweight fight people have been dreaming of for years. No?

Last year, it was almost a done deal. However, Loma decided to step away from boxing to spend more time with his family, and the fight never materialized. A lot of people even assumed he was done for good. But according to Klimas, he’s still got some fight left in him. While speaking about the top matchups in the division at the moment, Klimas, while also taking a jab at Shakur Stevenson, stated, “Shakur? I’m not gonna take anything from Shakur. Shakur is a very good fighter but he’s a bumper. He goes in a shell, he runs away. Tank comes to fight. More interesting fight. Much more intriguing fight.” Moreover, the fact that the Baltimore native has been reluctant about entertaining a fight with Stevenson only encourages Klimas to help make a fight between Tank and Loma. “Right now, a full Lomachenko would be the best opponent to fight Tank,” the 60-year-old manager stated confidently.

It looks like we might still get to see Vasyl Lomachenko in a few exciting matchups—something every boxing fan would welcome. And if there’s one person who’d be thrilled about it, it’s Joe Rogan.

So, what do you think? Should Tank Davis give the fans what they’ve been waiting for and finally fight Lomachenko? And if the fight does happen—who takes home the win? Do share your thoughts with us below.