Untouchable

- Matt Christie

TAKE a close look at the greatest fighters in history and there’s something that sets them apart. Some are blessed with natural power,innate skill or a strength of mind that is simply unbreakable. Others are known for their speed and elusiveness, as they bewitch and befuddle while barely getting hit. The lucky few have it all – like Sugar Ray Robinson and Leonard – who weave strength and speed to become monsters inside the ropes. For Vasyl Lomachenko, a one-of-a-kind wizard with gifts and tricks galore, it is a rare ability to drain the life from his rivals until they decide they just can’t take the humiliation anymore.

Cuban veteran Guillermo Rigondeaux was thought to be different from previous opponents, however. A stylist of exceptional intelligence and ability, the former superbantamweight supremo, despite rising two weight classes to challenge the WBO super-featherweight king, was not expected to become the fourth consecutive Lomachenko opponent to quit on his stool. Far from it, in fact; this was billed as one of the fights of the year, such were the extraordinary skill levels they shared. In the end, though, even Rigondeaux had no answer for the champion’s spiritcrushing brilliance, as he waved a white flag between rounds six and seven, citing injury to his left hand but exhibiting only frustration.