Many boxing fans and observers could argue that Vasyl Lomachenko is the most talented boxer in history. And that’s not surprising, despite being a professional with only had a handful of fights, leading to a 13-1 record with 10 KO’s.
That’s certainly not a load of experience in the professional ranks. But what many fail to realize is that Lomachenko is also one of the most accomplished amateur boxers of all time, with a record of 396 wins and only 1 loss.
The skill and talent are certainly inherent within the Ukrainian. He performs some of the most unorthodox and fluid movements in the ring that can be described as simply poetry in motion. The way he weaves in and out and around his opponents, there’s no other boxer quite like him today.
He goes by many nicknames, some of which include “No-Mas-Chenko”, “Hi-Tech”, and “The Matrix” — all alluding to his unique and elusive fighting style.
You want to be more like Lomachenko and add some of his moves to your skill set? We’ve broken down some of his favorite techniques.
Today, Evolve Daily shares 10 of Vasyl Lomachenko’s signature boxing techniques you can add to your game.
1) Rapid Jab With Feints
Lomachenko uses the jab in a variety of ways and he uses it quite often. Most of the time, however, he uses it as a range-finder, firing off multiple jabs to both keep his opponent at a certain distance and to gauge his own follow-up shots which usually comes in the form of a hook or an uppercut.
Another way Lomachenko likes to utilize the jab is by using it as a hard feint. The multitude of ways he uses this specific offensive maneuver always keeps opponents guessing and confused.
2) Master Of Distance
Lomachenko is a cerebral fighter, meaning he uses his intelligence and ring generalship more than the ordinary boxer. Every movement he makes is well-calculated. One of his greatest abilities is how he has mastered distance.
Lomachenko has an incredible sense of distance. It’s extremely difficult for opponents to get within punching range, and it’s largely due to his exceptional footwork.
Slight back and side-steps take Lomachenko either out of punching range or off the centerline. This causes great frustration for whoever is in the ring with him.
3) Counter Right Hook
Lomachenko can play both the aggressor and the counterpuncher role. Which hat he wears in the ring is highly-dependent on who he’s in there with. He will adapt to any style and ensure he puts himself in the best position for victory.
Throughout his career, Lomachenko has countered effectively with his right hook. Although he may not carry that explosive one-punch knockout power, Lomachenko more than makes up for it with his accuracy.
His counter right hook sneaks around an opponent’s guard and lands flush, and he can unleash it at any time.
4) Counter Left Straight
Another thing of beauty is Lomachenko’s counter left straight from his southpaw stance. When opponents throw jabs, Lomachenko likes to slip his head to his left and swiftly counter with a left straight over the top.
Just when an opponent is moving in, Lomachenko unleashes the left straight. The best part about his counter left straight is that he can also execute this particular punch from any position and angle. Oftentimes, opponents are caught in a defensive lapse.
You can never present Lomachenko with any sort of opening because he’ll capitalize on it 90% of the time.
5) Hooks To The Body
While a lot of fighters fall into the habit of head-hunting, Lomachenko makes it a point to attack the body relentlessly. His body punching is serious business, and the Ukrainian maestro loves to dig to the midsection early and often.
Lomachenko’s body attack is well-calculated. He loves to throw left and right hooks to the liver and the rib cage in particular. Because opponents never know what he’s going to do next, they are most of the time left defending with a high guard. This opens up the body for some immense punishment.
While not many realize it, body punching is also what makes Lomachenko a very effective fighter.
6) Short Uppercuts
Although he doesn’t use this technique as much as he should, Lomachenko has a tremendous short uppercut on the inside. Most opponents don’t know how to defend against this particular punch, and Lomachenko loves to throw it with speed and power.
He keeps it short and compact, and he’s able to knock a few heads back. He also executes it from a safe distance which doesn’t leave him open to getting countered himself.
7) Sidestep And Footwork
Lomachenko’s footwork is pure sorcery. The way he’s able to maneuver himself to the side of opponents, spinning them around like a spider does his prey, and then unleashing his most powerful attacks, it’s an absolute joy to watch.
Lomachenko has placed great focus on developing this part of his game that it has become his calling card. His ability to circle away from an opponents’ power side, and make them play catch-up before tagging them repeatedly with blows is his bread and butter.
Without his amazing footwork, he wouldn’t be as effective a fighter as he is today. It’s his greatest weapon, both on offense and on defense.
8) Flash The Jab
A unique technique, Lomachenko loves to flash the jab in an opponent’s face, impairing vision and breaking the line of sight. He sometimes follows this up with a power shot or even nothing at all. The highly-volatile and unpredictable nature of this technique is but another ploy to confuse opponents and keep them guessing.
Lomachenko’s game is predicated on draining his opponents’ willpower and confidence by keeping them confused and unable to read his movements. This creates multiple defensive lapses which Lomachenko no doubt takes advantage of.
9) Step Back And Reset
He’s not perfect. Lomachenko does get caught at times, and if a fighter is rough enough, he could dip into a funk. Case in point his bout with Mexican banger Orlando Salido, who gave him his first and only loss as a professional.
Lomachenko hasn’t lost a fight since then, and it’s because he’s gone to lengths to develop a step back and reset style that he would retreat to when the going gets rough. Lomachenko likes to dull the action by taking a step back out of range whenever an opponent hits a groove.
Over time, his rest and reset period has shortened, and he can spring back into action at the drop of a dime. This has made him even more dangerous.
10) Bait And Switch
Last but certainly not the least, Lomachenko is so confident in his ability to fight on his toes, that he will often leave his hands completely down and his head exposed. His cat-like reflexes and terrific head movement are enough to get him out of danger, as he navigates away from an opponent’s power shots with smooth ease.
Then he tags guys with sharp counters for their troubles. It’s this incredible head movement that gave him the nickname “The Matrix” because he moves just as fluidly as Keanu Reeves’ iconic fictional character, Neo.
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