Lomachenko ready to make history as a boxing pro

Vasyl Lomachenko is already considered one of the greatest amateurs in boxing history and now he is on the verge of a second historic achievement as a professional.

The two-time Olympic gold medalist has had a storied amateur career and he aims carry that success over to the pro ranks by setting a record for winning two titles in separate weight classes in the fewest number of fights.

Featherweight titlist Lomachenko is looking for a world title in the junior lightweight division on Saturday when he faces World Boxing Organization champion Roman Martinez at Madison Square Garden.

"I wanted this fight and I am taking it very seriously. I want to do everything right from the beginning," Ukraine's Lomachenko said.

Lomachenko compiled a record of 396-1 as an amateur, winning two Olympic gold medals in 2008 and 2012 and world amateur championships in 2009 and 2011.

In June 2014, he dominated former US Olympian Gary Russell to claim his first world title in just his third professional fight, equaling the record for the fewest fights needed to claim a world championship.

He matched the record set by Saensak Muangsurin, of Thailand, who won a junior welterweight belt in his third fight in 1975.

A victory over the 33-year-old Puerto Rican would give Lomachenko the record for the most world titles in different divisions in the lowest number of fights as he do it in just his seventh contest.

Japan's Naoya Inoue, a reigning junior bantamweight titleholder, won titles in two different divisions in his eighth pro fight.

Lomachenko was forced to move up a division for this bout because none of the other title holders in the featherweight class are game to fight him.

Source: AFP