He's been poorly promoted.
Agreed for the most part!
Korobov had a very impressive amateur background, as I recall he is a two-time Amateur World Championships winner (2005 and 2007, I think). Korobov has fought a few recognizable journeyman names here and there, but for the most part his fights have been relatively obscure.
Top Rank (Bob Arum), his promoter has been unable or unwilling to get Korobov meaningful fights.
In fairness I must also say though, that Ive seen many of Korobov's fights, and some of his fights he has struggled a bit against opponents that he should be beating easily (I recall him fighting an unknown journeyman - Loren Myers - and having a very tough fight).
Sometimes it seems to me like Korobov have the desire. Korobov obviously has the talent, as his amateur record would suggest, but his pro career has lacked that little extra something distinguishable.
That's why Lomachenko shouldn't have signed with Top Rank, it's good that Alexander Usyk didn't.
Realistically, Vasyl Lomachenko had 3 major promotional options for entering the North American market;
1)
Top Rank & Bob Arum, have promoted many successful boxers in recent years including Oscar De La Hoya, Kelly Pavlik, Manny Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto, and others. Nowadays, it seems Top Rank concerns itself more so in the lighter weight divisions and tends to cater to an Hispanic market. I once heard an interview of Bob Arum where he said that boxing's fanbase is "ethnic" (meaning Hispanic) and he caters his business around that. Many of their fights are shown in North America on
HBO.
2)
K2, the Klitschko Brothers promotional group, of which Tom Loeffler is primarily associated. They currently promote the Klitschko Brothers, Gennady Golovkin, Ola Afolabi, Zaurbek Baysangurov, Alexander Ustinov, and Alexander Usyk. Many of their fights are shown in North America on
HBO.
3)
Golden Boy & Al Haymon, currently promote various Negroes and Negro wanna-be's like Adrien Broner, Bernard Hopkins, Peter Quillin, Deontay Wilder, Danny Garcia, and others in the USA. I don't believe that Al Haymon has ever promoted a white fighter. So, good job on Lomachenko for not getting involved with these classless thugs. Many of their fights are shown in North America on
Showtime.
ALTERNATIVELY) Vasyl Lomachenko could have done something like self-promote himself (like Mayweather is currently), or maybe get involved with a smaller promoter like Lou DiBella, or even Kathy Duva of Main Events (similar to what Sergey Kovalev is doing). Of course, he could have stayed in Europe, built himself up in Germany.
Personally, I would have preferred to see Lomachenko sign with K2 (promotional group of the Klitschko Brothers), and follow a path similar to that which Gennady Golovkin has done with K2 in the USA. K2 has decent relationships with HBO, so he would have eventually been featured on HBO like Golovkin is today.
As I understand, Alexander Usyk signed with K2, and that's awesome. You can be certain he will be promoted very well
Ultimately, I think the reason Lomachenko signed with Top Rank is because he feels they have the ability to get him the best fights and the most exposure through HBO. It's also a good thing that Top Rank is heavily invested in the lower weight categories. Time will tell, but Lomachenko obviously has the talent to be successful anywhere.
Bob Arum, though at times incompetent, is in my opinion, not anti-white, so I think he will give Lomachenko a fair shake to be successful. Much rather see Lomachenko with Top Rank than Golden Boy. Top Rank has done a decent job with some of their guys, so hopefully they can with Lomachenko as well!
Lomachenko is quite possibly the best amateur boxer ever,
this guy will be a star, Top Rank should build him up to take over the light weight classes now that Manny Pac is done.
Lomachenko can be the best boxer in history. His skills are unreal. I think Bob Arum sees that and will promote him accordingly (
if not, you know, Lomachenko can always leave and find a new promoter). Time will tell.
So, personally I am optimistic about Lomachenko with Top Rank. I think it can work out well. I would have preferred K2, but Top Rank is decent. They just need to keep him active.
