Vasiliy Lomachenko will fight WBA mandatory Anthony Crolla
Unified Lightweight Champion Vasiliy Lomachenko (12-1, 9KO) will face WBA mandatory challenger Anthony Crolla (34-6-3, 13KO), in a strange turn of events.
The 31 (y.o) Ukraine fighter, probably isn’t getting the fight he wants, however, it’s not without lack of trying.
Team Loma had been trying to secure another unification match-up in hopes of the WBA granting an exception allowing him to bypass Crolla.
Things would get even more interesting as both Richard Commey and Isa Chaniev committed to facing Lomachenko if either won the vacant IBF title.
Commey would win but later revealed he suffered an injury to his right hand. Consequently, he would need over 6 weeks to heal which put the unification bout on hold.
The end result is the WBA rescinding the exception and invoking the mandatory bout.
Crolla once upon a time held the very same WBA belt before losing it Jorge Linares. He worked his way into the mandatory position winning three straight fights, one of which against three-division champion Ricky Burns.
This fight is scheduled to take place April 12 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California and will be streamed live on ESPN+.
By: Garrisson Bland
