Lomachenko: "I'm not going to underestimate Commey"

Three-division world champion Vasyl Lomachenko is determined to finish this year with confidence. On December 11 at Madison Square Garden Arena in New York City, the Ukrainian will face former world champion Richard Commey.

Lomachenko regains his position in the P4P rankings after losing by unanimous decision at the hands of Teofimo Lopez last year. Vasily returned to the ring in June, stopping Japan's Masayoshi Nakatani early in the ninth round, although he was originally thought to be relegated to second featherweight. The two-time Olympic gold medalist wants to continue his career at lightweight and seek another world title.

Commey (30-3, 27 KOs) has a size advantage: he is 3 cm taller and his arm span is 14 cm longer. The New Yorker will try to recover from the biggest loss of his career, a second-round knockout at the hands of Lopez in December 2019. Both fighters are targeting a rematch with Lopez, who is scheduled to make a mandatory title defense against George Kambosos later this month.

Lomachenko, while a clear favorite to face Commey, is not overlooking the challenges he may present in the ring.

"When I fight at Madison Square Garden, where so many great moments in my career have happened, it's always a special occasion. Richard Commey is a former world champion, an opponent I will not underestimate. I expect the best version of Commey and I will be ready for anything he shows on December 11," stated Lomachenko.

Top Rank head Bob Arum, Lomachenko's promoter, believes the upcoming bout is dangerous for his ward.

"It's good that a boxer like Lomachenko will headline a night that marks the long-awaited return of boxing to Madison Square Garden. However, Richard Commey cannot be overstated as he is a strong fighter with tremendous power in both hands," stated Arum.