OXNARD, Calif. (Oct 23, 2018) – WBA lightweight world champion Vasiliy Lomachenko was at home at the Boxing Laboratory as he prepared for his next challenge. Lomachenko (11-1, 9 KOs), who has won world titles in three weight classes in just 12 pro fights, will seek to unify titles for the first time as a pro when he takes on WBO champion Jose Pedraza (25-1, 12 KOs), Dec. 8 at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden (ESPN and ESPN Deportes, 9 p.m. ET).
Lomachenko worked out for the media Tuesday, showing off his assortment of training tricks. This is what the pound-for-pound great had to say. On the Pedraza fight "I had a long rest {following shoulder surgery}. I am looking forward to seeing how I feel and taking on a tough opponent like Pedraza. I haven't had much time to watch his fights." On potentially unifying the titles "I can't wait. After this fight, a lot of doors will be open. Title unification fights are good for the sport of boxing." On future opponents "I love challenges. That's what motivates me. I want all the top fighters. I'm open to anyone." On the Jorge Linares fight "It was the first time I was knocked down as a pro. After the knockdown, I came back and finished the fight. It was a tough fight, but I showed the heart of a champion."
On whether he'll remain at lightweight "I believe I'll stay at 135 and focus on 135 because when I fought against Linares, I felt like he was bigger than me. So I'll stay at 135 because I think 135 is not my {ideal} weight category right now. After one or two years, it will be my {ideal} weight." On a Mikey Garcia fight "I hope {it will happen}. We can see in the future because my next fight is against Pedraza. After Pedraza, we can talk about fighting Mikey."