Egis Klimas Petitions Sanctioning Bodies To Rank Lomachenko At Number One
Representatives for Vasyl “Loma” Lomachenko (17-3, 11 KOs) warned that action would be taken following Loma’s May 20 unanimous decision defeat to undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney (30-0, 15 KOs). They’ve now backed up their threats, as Egis Klimas has sent a formal letter to the WBA.
Klimas, the manager of Lomachenko, petitioned that the WBA rank Loma number one in their upcoming lightweight rankings. Klimas sent similar letters to the IBF, WBO, and WBC. Before his fight with Haney, Lomachenko was ranked first by the WBC and WBO, and third by the WBA and IBF.
Team Lomachenko strongly feels that the three-division champion deserved the nod against Haney. During the first post-fight press conference, Klimas said they would not stand for what they felt was an injustice and a robbery of a verdict.
WILL THIS PLAY OUT IN FAVOR OF LOMACHENKO?
Two-division champion Shakur Stevenson (20-0, 10 KOs) is the WBC mandatory challenger at 135. Stevenson earned that distinction following a sixth-round stoppage over Shuichiro Yoshino on April 8 in a WBC world title eliminator. Gustavo Lemos (28-0, 18 KOs) is ranked first by the IBF. He was named IBF mandatory challenger following a fifth-round stoppage over Lee Selby in March 2022.
Klimas wants to put Lomachenko in the best position for a possible rematch with Haney. But even if the WBC decides to keep Lomachenko ranked first in their rankings, Stevenson is at the front of the line for a title shot due to his mandatory status. The same goes for Lemos, when it comes to the IBF.
There are also questions about what Haney wants to do next. Following his win over Loma, the undisputed champion hinted that a move up the junior welterweight is in his immediate future. Some insiders feel that the fight against Vasyl Lomachenko was his last fight at 135.
One can understand the outrage from Team Lomachenko. Klimas is trying to fight for his fighter. But this move comes off as a bit desperate and without much substance.
