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June 21st, new. Vasyl “Hi-Tech” Lomachenko takes on the quick handed Gary Russell Jr. for the vacant WBO Featherweight Crown. This is only Lomachenkos 3rd professional fight, and the 2nd time which he fights for a world title. At this time, Lomachenko had a record of 1(1)-1 while Russell Jr. was undefeated at 24(14)-0.\r
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Going into the fight, Lomachenko and Russell Jr. both weighed in at 125.5 pounds and Gary Russell Jr. was a 1.95-1 betting underdog.\r
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This fight was a fairly competitive affair for 4 rounds where it appeared both fighters won equal amount of rounds. But beginning from the 5th round it gradually became Lomachenkos fight as Russell Jr, while continues to throw many punches (approximately 20 more punches per round) but was much more ineffective despite being busier. In the 5th round, Vasyl displayed amazing defense and accuracy landing 23 punches to Russell Jr. who landed only 3. This pattern continues in just about every proceeding round.\r
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While Russell Jrs speed and high work rate managed to get him off to a good start at the beginning of rounds and at times landing, he missed most of his punches due to Lomachenkos amazing footwork and defense. On the other hand, Lomachenko landed more and as a whole delivered the harder blows throughout the bout. Russell Jr. did not land a truly significant blow in 12 rounds.\r
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With this victory, Lomachenko ties with Thailands Saensak Muangsurin to become a world title holder in the fewest fights - 3 professional bouts. Interestingly, Lomachenko nearly broke Muangsurins record when he almost edged 18 year veteran Orlando Salido in his 2nd professional bout.\r
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In the bout with Salido, he was outweighed by approximately 10 to 15 pounds and Salido landed excessive amount of low blows which referee Laurence Cole failed to make point deductions which might have made a difference in the final scorecards.\r
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While Lomachenko was awarded an MD, Lomachenko was the clear winner (and by far) in the eyes of many. ESPNs Dan Rafael scored it 118-110 and Showtimes Steve Farhood had it 117-111 for Hi-Tech. According to SHO Stats, Lomachenko outlanded Russell Jr. by precisely 100 punches in total; 183 to 83 and 25% more power shots than Russell Jr. \r
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Here are 10 fighters who became world champion in the least number of fights;\r
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10) Davey Moore (1982) - 9th bout\r
- TKO6 Tadashi Mihara (WBA World Super Welterweight title)\r
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9) Guillermo Rigodeaux (new) - 9th bout\r
- KO6 Rico Ramos (WBA World Super Bantamweight title)\r
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8) Leon Spinks (1978) - 8th bout\r
- SD15 Muhammad Ali (WBA and WBC World Heavyweight titles)\r
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7) Sot Chitalada (1984) - 8th bout\r
- SD12 Gabriel Bernal (WBC World Flyweight title)\r
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6) Jeff Fenech (1985) - 7th bout\r
- TKO9 Satoshi Shingaki (IBF World Bantamweight title)\r
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5) Muangchai Kittikasem (1989) - 7th bout\r
- SD12 Tacy Macalos (IBF World Light Flyweight title)\r
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4) Kazuto Ioka (new) - 7th bout\r
- TKO5 Kittipong Jaigrajang (WBC World Minimumweight title)\r
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3) Paul Weir (1993) - 6th bout\r
- TKO7 Fernando Martinez (WBO World Minimumweight title)\r
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2) Veeraphol Sahaprom (1995) - 4th bout\r
- SD12 Daorung Chuwatana (WBA World Bantamweight title)\r
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1) Saensak Muangsurin (1975) - 3rd bout\r
- KO8 Perico Fernandez (WBC World Super Lightweight title)\r
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*tied with\r
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1)Vasyl Lomachenko (new) - 3rd bout\r
- MD12 Gary Russell Jr. (WBO Featherweight title)\r
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Do you know any other fighter who won a world title belt in only a few bouts? Let me know in the comments.\r
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