DESPITE REPORTS THAT England’s Luke Campbell and America’s Devin Haney were due to fight for the vacant WBC World lightweight title, the sanctioning body has this evening announced that it has instead accepted a petition from unified world champion Vasyl Lomachenko to face the Hull man for its 135-pound belt.
Campbell’s promoter Eddie Hearn says it’s ‘likely’ that the bout will take place in the UK.
I can’t say I agree with the WBC’s decision but @luke11campbell v Loma is on and likely for the UK! Two Olympic champs and I believe Luke can do it! 👊🏼🇬🇧
— Eddie Hearn (@EddieHearn) May 7, 2019
In an unusual move, WBA and WBO champion Lomachenko has been permitted to fight for another organisation’s unmanned belt whereas typically he would be required to wait for a fellow champion to be crowned by that organisation before partaking in a unification bout.
Lomachenko, regarded by many as the pound-for-pound best on the planet, has instead been cleared to face fellow WBC title pursuer Campbell — the current mandatory challenger — in a clash of 2012 Olympic gold medallists. Campbell beat Ireland’s John Joe Nevin in the London final, while Lomachenko went on to also claim gold at Rio 2016.
Promoter Hearn’s claim that he doesn’t agree with the WBC’s decision is likely due to the fact that he recently signed the aforementioned Haney, who instead of fighting Matchroom stablemate Campbell for the vacant title has now been ordered by the WBC to enter a four-man tournament to determine who will become mandatory challenger to either Lomachenko or Campbell.
To be the best you have to beat the best! I’m ready to fight anyone, no one’s getting in the way of me becoming world champion! #AndTheNew
— Luke Campbell MBE (@luke11campbell) May 7, 2019
The first round of that proposed tournament would see Haney [21-0, 13KOs] face Zaur Abdullaev [11-0, 7KOs] and Teofimo Lopez [13-0, 11KOs] fight Javier Fortuna [34-2-1, 23KOs]. The winner of those de facto semi-finals would then square off for a shot at the belt belonging to either ‘Loma’ or ‘Cool Hand Luke’.
The WBC’s lightweight ‘champion in emeritus’ Mikey Garcia also reserves the right to challenge for the title he relinquished after he moved up two divisions to face Errol Spence, a fight in which he received a one-sided beating. However, Garcia is unlikely to fight again at 135 pounds and so shouldn’t factor into the six-man equation.
Subscribe to our new podcast, The42 Rugby Weekly, here:
There’s a real buzz at the cross again. Let’s hope more people get out and support their local LOI team.
First since 1998, not jumping on the bandwagon but I hope to support many more games, real joy seen LOI
I know I am, I’m sure I am, I’m City til I die. Great performance tonight!!!
First visit to the cross in 3/4 years, brought my young lad age 7 along for his 1st visit. He thoroughly enjoyed, think that’s my Fridays night sorted for next few months . Great atmosphere, great win.
Fair play for bringing your child, letting him experience live football firsthand. I just wish more parents were like you.
Markie Sullivan was flying again tonight,great hold up play and won everything in the air,thoroughly deserved victory,great buzz at the cross again long may it last
Buzz is certainly back in Cork football.The City u19 side who won their 3rd title on the bounce last week , paraded the trophy at halftime, and then entered the famous Shed and joined in the choruses of Championez. Special times at Turners Cross.
Nice too see big attendances like this league needs it. I think more and more people are starting to appreciate the LOI.
Hopefully although a very small crowd at the St. Pats game. I don’t know was this because it was shown live but for the champions to get just over 1,300 at home to last years runners up is extremely disappointing.
They got 5,300 plus for the pats game!
I’m talking about the Pats Dundalk game last night!
Great crowd, good to see that back in Cork. Be nice to see them do well this season and finish 2nd after Dundalk haha!!
Let’s hope the score sees fit to increase the profile of LOI by entering the category to the “scores” section
They must have heard you as they’re listed now. I always thought the Score did include them. In their defence, they give excellent coverage to the League and exposure to a wider audience.
Good to see Cork doing well. Always enjoyed away trips down to the Cross.
Hi Nigel,
We’ve always had the LOI in our live scores section. The latest results can be found here: http://www.thescore.ie/airtricity-premier-division/
Roll on next Friday and home to Sligo Rovers… Another big crowd expected.
People of Ireland WE ARE BACK CCFC :-)
Great to see both Shamrock Rovers Teams beaten on the one weekend.Is it one for the record?,long may it continue.
Best night at the Cross in a long time , here’s hoping for a few more , well done city