“With two Olympic gold medals and a staggering amateur record of 396-1, Lomachenko—along with his team and promoter Top Rank—believed he had the polish and savvy to the surmount the rugged nuance of the aging Salido. Seven years younger than his opponent, and with far fewer miles on his body, Lomachenko, Marina Del Ray, California, via Ukraine, was expected to exploit his glaring advantages in speed and athleticism. And he did just that, in spurts of varying duration. But unlike the Olympics, where the spirit of friendly global competition is at least supposed to pervade, and unlike the amateurs, where prizes not purses are awarded, the professional ranks are a cutthroat racket filled with men grasping at whatever chances are within reach—and the best of these men die hard. Lomachenko had undoubtedly learned much in his amateur career, but Salido would teach him about desperation.”

Read Desperate Measures: Orlando Salido W12 Vasyl Lomachenko on The Cruelest Sport.

Lomachenko’s formidable amateur credentials are not distinction enough—he need only ask Guillermo Rigondeaux and Andre Ward if people are hypnotized by swaying gold medals before their eyes. No, if Lomachenko is going to maximize his earning potential—and maybe capture an imagination or two in the process—he needs to tuck his medals under his shirt, find the baddest man on the block, and roll him for his gold.

Read Diamonds & Rust: Orlando Salido-Vasyl Lomachenko Preview on The Cruelest Sport.