Vasiliy Lomachenko vs. Masayoshi Nakatani: Fight prediction, card, start time, odds, how to watch

Top-of-the-line boxers on this planet will look to get again within the win column this weekend when Vasiliy Lomachenko returns to the ring to face Masayoshi Nakatani. The motion takes place on Saturday from Virgin Lodges Las Vegas (10 p.m. ET, ESPN+).

Lomachenko (14-2, 10 KO) will probably be combating for the primary time since an upset loss to Teofimo Lopez this previous October. The loss price Lomachenko his WBA and WBO light-weight titles because the division moved absolutely right into a youth motion that appeared to go away Lomachenko out of most conversations of the biggest potential fights at 135 kilos.

Regardless of focus for a lot of shifting to Lopez, Gervonta Davis, Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia, Lomachenko securing a rematch with Lopez stays a robust chance for his subsequent battle ought to he decide up a win in opposition to Nakatani.

This battle is just not a mild highway again to rivalry for Lomachenko. Nakatani (19-1, 13 KO) is a tall, powerful fighter who gave Lopez a good quantity of hassle of their 2019 battle regardless of dropping vast on the scorecards. In his most up-to-date outing, Nakatani picked himself off the ground twice to knock out Felix Verdejo within the ninth spherical.

Nakatani would be the a lot greater man on battle evening, with practically a five-inch top benefit and being a way more pure match at light-weight. There was speak from many — although not from Lomachenko — {that a} return to 130 kilos can be the most effective profession transfer as Lomachenko strikes towards the again finish of his profession. How the battle with Nakatani performs out will present if there’s any reality to that line of pondering.

High Rank’s Bob Arum has as an alternative stated Lomachenko has a deal with the large names at light-weight, suggesting fights with Davis and Haney are prospects, along with the Lopez rematch.

“Clearly, if Lomachenko wins, he would not wish to sit round ready,” Arum informed FightHype. “Lomachenko solely desires to battle the most effective, and who’re the most effective? Perhaps Devin Haney or possibly Tank Davis. I imply, Loma would contemplate each of them huge challenges, and we’d actually wish to make these matches. However once more, it takes two to tango.”

Lomachenko will enter the ring as an enormous favourite in opposition to Nakatani at -1500, but it surely’s essential to recollect simply how tough it may very well be for him to seek out the goal on the a lot bigger opponent. It is also of be aware that Nakatani has simply the one professional defeat by the hands of Lopez and was by no means near being knocked down or out in that battle. Nakatani carries loads of energy in these arms at 6-foot tall and will make for a protracted evening on the workplace.

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The co-main occasion sees a middleweight contest between Janibek Alimkhanuly and Rob Brant. Alimkhanuly has amassed a formidable run as an novice with gold medals on the 2013 World Championships, 2013 Asian Championships and 2014 Asian Video games. He additionally represented Kazakstan in 2016 Olympics. Alimkhanuly is undefeated at 9-0 in his younger professional profession. Brant, in the meantime, has practically triple the professional expertise with a 26-2 report and 18 knockouts to his identify.

You’ll be able to take a look at the complete card under, with odds from William Hill Sportsbook.

Lomachenko vs. Nakatani card, odds

Prediction

Nakatani has the bodily instruments and the mentality to be a tricky out for Lomachenko, for positive. Nevertheless, Lomachenko could also be his personal worst enemy heading into the battle. He cannot afford to present away the primary half of the battle like he did in opposition to Lopez. He’ll take a spherical or two to attempt to determine the angles and proper  method to take in opposition to Nakatani. As soon as he has a bit of knowledge, Lomachenko wants to use it and begin utilizing his world-class expertise to drag away and pile up rounds as a result of it appears unlikely he scores a stoppage in any circumstance past a referee stoppage on account of swelling. Choose: Vasiliy Lomachenko by way of UD