Vasiliy Lomachenko destroys Anthony Crolla,Ramirez batters Karpency

As expected, Vasiliy Lomachenko had way too much game for challenger Anthony Crolla, knocking out the former WBA champion in round four at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA. Friday night.

In the opening stanza, Lomachenko, defending his WBA and WBO lightweight titles, jabbed to the body and head. Crolla bounced and moved to his right, but hardly threw a punch. Lomachenko connected with a good right hook to the body.

Lomachenko picked up the pace in round two. His quickness was unnerving Crolla. The three-division champion moved in and out, using feints very well. He stuck his jab in Crolla’s face and landed sharp uppercuts and a wicked bodyhsot in the last few seconds of the heat.

Crolla tried to be more activate in round three. All he got for his trouble were three right hands and a left. He was being beat down systematically. Lomachenko forced Crolla into the ropes and opened up. He landed numerous blows-one of the shots buckling Crolla’s legs and producing a knockdown, courtesy of the ringside ropes. Lomachenko began to celebrate, thinking the fight was over, until referee Jack Reiss told him it wasn’t.

Crolla survived the round, but was obviously in trouble. The end looked near.  

Lomachenko made sure it was. In round four, he wasted no time pummeling Crolla with shots to the head. A destructive right hook to the temple toppled Crolla on his face.

Referee Reis immediately waved off the fight.

The time was 58 seconds into round four.

“Thank you for all the people who came to Staples Center,” said Lomachenko. “I want Mikey Garcia.”

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Former WBO super middleweight champion Gilberto Ramirez (40-0, 26 KOs) made his debut in the light heavyweight division by battering experienced fellow southpaw Tommy Karpency (29-7, 18 KOs) after four dominant rounds. Ramirez went to the body effectively throughout the contest. The shots seemed to weaken Karpency, or perhaps break his ribs, as he said after the fight was stopped.  

“I feel really well,” said Ramirez. “I feel I have a lot of power, and more comfortable at one hundred seventy-five pounds.”

Prospect Arnold Barboza (21-0, 8 KOs) moved up to contender status by stopping former world champion Mike Alvarado (40-5, 28 KOs) in round three. Barboza strafed Alvarado with consistent combinations from the opening bell. Alvarado tried to fight back, but a straight right sent him to the canvas. Alvarado wobbled up, out on his feet. Referee Thomas Taylor waved the fight off.

Hopefully, Alvarado will retire.