Jorge Linares Wants Lomachenko Rematch Before Facing Davis, Haney & Lopez

Former three-weight world champion Jorge Linares is hoping to rematch pound-for-pound superstar Vasiliy Lomachenko before taking out three young world champions in Gervonta Davis, Devin Haney and Teofimo Lopez.

In May 2018 Linares met for Lomachenko for the WBA (Super) lightweight title. The Venezuelan gave the Ukrainian fighter one of his toughest tests to date, even scoring a knockdown in the fight. Ultimately though he fell to a tenth round TKO defeat, after being nailed with a crippling shot to the body.

Since being dethroned as the 135lb Linares has won three of his past four fights but suffered an huge, first round upset loss at the hands of Pablo César Cano in January 2019. Two wins later though and Linares believes he’s ready to mix it with the best lightweights in the world once again.

Speaking to Nick Libonati in an interview filmed by New Fly Films’ Stefan Newman, Linares seemed excited about the current state of the lightweight division and expressed his desire to make a rematch against Lomachenko, he said.

“Now I have so many [options] with so many good fighters at this weight. Younger boxers and new talent too,”

“For me, though, the first one I really want to fight is this one (Lomachenko), the rematch,” insists Linares, who has previously held titles at 126 and 130 before winning the first of two titles at 135 in 2014. I want that first.

Once he’s exacted his revenge over Lomachenko, Linares hopes to set up fights with young world champions Gervonta Davis, Devin Haney, and Teofimo Lopez.

“Then, this one [unbeaten former two-time 130-pound titlist and current secondary 135-pound titleholder Gervonta Davis]. He’s an amazing boxer. He’s good, he’s strong, he’s fast. After the fight with Gamboa, though, I thought to myself that I have a very good chance to beat him.

“Also this one too (unbeaten two-time WBC titlist Devin Haney) and then we fight this guy, Teofimo Lopez (15-0, 12KOs, current IBF titlist). He’s a strong guy, he’s the new IBF world champion. I’m ready to fight all of the best boxers in the 135-pound division, but now what I really want is that rematch with Vasiliy Lomachenko.” (Transcribed by Boxing Scene)

Who do you want to see Jorge Linares fight next?