Vasyl Lomachenko, Jason Sosa to Meet in 130-Pound Unification Bout April 8

Vasyl Lomachenko will put his WBO junior lightweight title on the line when he climbs through the ropes on April 8, but he should have a sturdy test in front of him when he does.

Lomachenko, a two-time Olympic gold medalist who has already captured world championships in two weight classes in the pros, is considered by many to be the finest pure boxer to arrive on the scene since a young Floyd Mayweather turned pro. The Ukrainian edged Gary Russell Jr. to win the WBO featherweight crown and then after defending it thrice; he scooped up his current belt by knocking out Roman Martinez in brutal fashion.

Up next is Jason Sosa, a tough New Jersey native who hasn’t lost in nearly seven years. While Lomachenko (7-1, 5 KOs) is a heavy favorite, Sosa is tricky and tough enough to give who many consider the greatest amateur boxer in history a run for his money. And he’s excited that Sosa took the challenge head on.

“I would like to thank Jason Sosa, who unlike the other champions, agreed to take this fight to determine the best in this weight division, even though everyone knows I am the division's Papi,” said Lomachenko. “I moved up to 130 pounds hoping champions in this division were not cowards like those at 126 pounds.  It looks like I was wrong. To all the other 'champions' in the 126 pound and 130 pound divisions, I say this to you, 'You are not champions, you are businessmen.  Bad businessmen. By avoiding risks, you cheat the boxing fans and that is bad business.'  I came to this sport to prove to myself and others that I am this big and loud champion. So, while all of you continue to hide from me, I am going forward to achieve my goals.  My next step is on April 8.”

Sosa (20-1-4, 15 KOs) fought to a draw with Nicholas Walters in December of 2015 – before Lomachenko made him quit on the stool last November – but has since captured the WBA super featherweight title. Sosa will put his belt on the line as well when collides with Lomachenko and he is confident that he can pull off what would be a monumental upset.

“We understand that this is the most difficult fight of our career due to the fact that we are fighting the best fighter — Vasyl Lomachenko — in the history of amateur boxing,” said Sosa. “The beauty of all of this is that I only had three amateur fights and will prove to the world that we are by far the better fighter.”

The two will lock horns in the main event of an HBO-televised card from within the Theatre at MGM National Harbor in Oxon Mill, Md. The action will be go live at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT and a co-featured bout will be announced in coming weeks. Jesse Hart and Mike Reed will compete in separate bouts on the non-televised undercard.