Boxing is in rude health at the moment and another potential super fight looks set to be added to the 2018 slate.
Pound-for-pound King Vasyl Lomachenko is ready to step-up to Lightweight, and according to reports the Ukrainian could be set for a super-fight with Jorge Linares.
If confirmed, the bout would sit perfectly alongside Joshua v Parker and Canelo v GGG over the next six months, with two of the most respected fighters in the business appearing set to put pen to paper. A deal to make the fight is reported to be close with dates at the end of April and early May being looked at according to Bob Arum, who promotes the brilliant Ukrainian.
One of the greatest amateurs of all time, Lomachenko has ripped up the paid ranks in just eleven bouts so far and he now appears ready to step up to 135lbs to chase a World Title in a third divison.
Talk about a potential fight with Manny Pacquaio continues to longer but for the time being it appears as if attention has turned to another multiple world champion in the form of Jorge Linares.
Well known to British fight fans, Linares has schooled Anthony Crolla twice, Kevin Mitchell and Luke Campbell in a spell which as seen the Mexican earn himself a reputation as one of the best in the business. The "Golden Boy" is currently ranked as the best active lightweight by Ring Magazine and recently defended his Ring and WBA straps in a unanimous points decision win over Mercito Gesta at the Forum in Inglewood.
Lomachenko lost a split decision when fighting for a world strap on just his 2nd fight as a pro but since then he has been peerless, with world titles added at both feather and super featherweight.
"Hi-Tech" dazzled Guillermo Rigondeaux at Madison Square Garden just before Christmas with the highly respected Cuban forced to quit on his stool following the 6th round. Himself considered one of the best in the world, Rigondeaux had no answers for the footwork and hand speed of Lomachenko as he became the fourth opponent in -a-row to give up against the double Olympic Champion.
A 3rd strap at 135lbs is now the target of the man who many believe is the best in the business, and the 29-year-old would start a heavy favourite for any fight against Linares.
Oscar De La Hoya, who promotes the WBA King, has been making the right sounds this week about a potential match-up in 2018.
Lomachenko versus Linares is the fight to make, so we have to make it. For 2018, our goal is to always make the best fights and that's actually one of them out of many, so Bob Arum, give me a call."
WBC Lightweight champion Mikey Garcia remains another possible opponent for Lomachenko in 2018 with the American himself a three-weight champion and unbeaten in 37 fights. Garcia, another genuine pound-for-pound fighter, has been sensational over the past 18 months and the prospect of a fight with the winner of Linares and Lomachenko is sure to have Boxing fans drooling at the mouth.
Anthony Joshua might be hitting the headlines up at heavyweight but with Manny Pacquaio and Floyd Mayweather all but off the scene when it comes to the smaller guys, it is the likes of Lomachenko, Linares and Garcia that look set to get their chance in the sun.
The three stars of the division could be set for a memorable menage-a-trois which will leave fight fans across the world satisfied, with the victor likely to etch their name into boxing history.
