Vasiliy Lomachenko (14-1, 10 KOs) will put his WBA (Super), WBO and The Ring lightweight championship belts up against the IBF title of Teofimo Lopez Jr. (15-0, 12 KOs) on Oct. 17 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas in one of the most anticipated fights of the year.
And retired former WBC cruiserweight titleholder Tony Bellew, whose final in-ring showing was an unsuccessful challenge of Lomachenko's compatriot Oleksandr Usyk for the unified cruiserweight championship in 2018, feels only two boxers today can conquer Lomachenko — but Lopez is one of them.
During an appearance on DAZN's Ak and Barak Show, Bellew outlined what he feels it would take to stop "No-Mas-Chenko", who lost a split decision to Orlando Salido in his second professional fight back in 2014 but has looked close to unstoppable ever since.
“Lopez and Terence Crawford are the only fighters with a chance to beat Vasiliy Lomachenko,” Bellew explained. “The only way Teofimo can beat him is to dictate the pace.
"Lomachenko is the best fighter I’ve seen since a prime Roy Jones Jr.”
Of Usyk, who takes on Dereck Chisora on Oct. 31 in his latest test since stepping up from cruiser to heavyweight, Bellew feels his former opponent cannot take the London-born slugger for granted.
“Chisora has a chance in the Usyk fight for sure,” Bellew said. “Usyk is an unknown commodity at heavyweight so that’s something to consider, too.
"If Usyk thinks he has an easy fight ahead of him, he’s wrong.
"Barring Lomachenko and Canelo, Usyk is the best pure fighter in the sport. He’s the best I ever faced and is unbelievably talented.”
And when the topic of Bellew himself came up, the 37-year-old was very honest about the possibility of him ever returning for one more fight.
“There’s always a number that would make anyone come back,” he admitted. “$10 or $15 million for me? Not enough.
"When I throw punches I feel strong. Then when I watch the footage back I realize I’m not as quick as I used to be.
“Could I beat a slow heavyweight? Maybe. But I’d be no match for the guys at the top.”