Lomachenko beats Rigondeaux by TKO to retain title

New York, December 10: Vasyl Lomachenko retained his WBO super-featherweight title after beating Guillermo Rigondeaux by TKO on Saturday (December 9).

Ukrainian Lomachenko (10-1) dominated for six rounds at The Theater at Madison Square Garden before Rigondeaux called it quits, citing a left hand injury.

The highly anticipated bout between two two-time Olympic gold medallists never reached any great heights.

Rigondeaux (17-1), moving up two weight classes, was left on the defensive throughout against Lomachenko, the duo considered among the greatest amateurs of all-time.

"Maybe I'll change my second name," Lomachenko told ESPN. "Maybe now my name is 'No-mas-chenko.'"

Both fighters made tentative and cautious starts, although Lomachenko came to life briefly in the third.

Rigondeaux tied up his opponent repeatedly in the opening four rounds, but Lomachenko landed numerous jabs, even if they lacked much power.

Lomachenko was the aggressor throughout as Rigondeaux defended, offering little in the way of counters.

Rigondeaux was given a point deduction in the sixth and it would prove to be the final round as the Cuban called it quits before the seventh.

Earlier in London, American Caleb Truax stunned James DeGale to win the IBF super-middleweight title.

In his first bout since January, DeGale (23-2-1) suffered a majority decision defeat – the judges scoring the fight 116-112, 115-112 and 114-114 – and suspected broken nose.

It was better news for Lee Selby (26-1), who retained his IBF featherweight title with a unanimous decision win over Eduardo Ramirez.

Source: OPTA