Who Would Win Out of Floyd Mayweather v Vasyl Lomachenko?

We all love to fantasize about boxing bouts and debate the outcome. These days, we are left to dream about the likes Fury v Joshua and Dillian Whyte v Deontay Wilder, as the heavyweight scene continues its old school, glamorous ways. Back in the day, however, we had one man who left us all wondering and perhaps for longer than necessary: Floyd Mayweather.

The unbeaten American did end up fighting the likes of Manny Pacquiao and Canelo Alvarez, although his bout with the Filipino was certainly too late to hit the heights it should have, and the Mexican perhaps too early to give 'Money' a real test. Now, however, with another superstar taking over the pound for pound rankings in Vasyl Lomachenko, we must dream once again.

Whilst Mayweather's 50-0 is unrivalled, the Ukrainian's amateur record and current stature is unparalleled, also. After an almighty 396 wins in the amateur ranks and just one loss (a loss he avenged twice), Lomachenko has secured a world title in three weight classes in just 15 fights.

Now, with boxing taking its hiatus, fighters around the globe seem to be eyeing up one another as they continue their individual camps. And, it seems as if the 32-year-old has his eyes set on the biggest one of them all in a battle with Mayweather.

"I would like to fight somebody who is undefeated, who has a good history, a big name and I think the person would be Floyd Mayweather," Lomachenko told Top Rank Boxing.

We don't know if the Ukrainian's desires are blurred by the dollar sign, or whether he sees his name up in lights with a 50-1 on Mayweather's record. Although, considering he spent so long perfecting his craft in the amateurs before turning to the professional game, it's fair to say he just wants that unrivalled legacy.

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'The Matrix'. 'Hi-Tech'. Call him what you please. But each of those majestic nicknames is entirely justified. With the footwork of a wizard and the hand speed of magician, Lomachenko perfects the phrase 'hit and don't get hit'.

Whilst Mayweather has earned the nickname 'Money' because of his unrivalled pay-per-view numbers, Lomachenko doesn't need to argue that he is 'The Matrix' of the boxing world, as his movement is simply unrivalled. From the most peculiar training methods, to balancing dominoes and catching pennies in order to perfect each department of his game his opponents barely even know exist; 'Loma' does it like no other ever has.

We have seen over recent years, that the Ukrainians bring something different to the table, with movement that nobody can compare to, hence, 'Hi-Tech' tag. After 397 fights, in the amateurs - a division widely regarded to be the area where pure boxing is personified due to its scoring system - Lomachenko has just one loss. Just. One. Loss. A defeat that, not just did he rectify, but he did it once more after that, just for good measure.

Now, in the professional game, the 32-year-old has done what nobody on planet earth has ever been able to do: competing or defending for a world title in every bout beside his debut. That debut came against Jose Ramirez, who he beat in a fifth-round KO.

Although just a second defeat in his career would come next against Orlando Salido, it was controversial, to say the least, with illegal blows and a missed weight from the WBC champion, Salido, helping him to victory. There is little doubt that should the two have rematched, that this would have been a 'Loma' win, especially as Salido went on to win just two of his next six fights. Now, many experts look back on this defeat as merely a roadblock, rather than a condemning loss.

One fight later, however, Salido's title is vacated due to the missed weight, allowing Lomachenko to claim the WBC belt against Gary Russell, becoming the joint-quickest title winner in history alongside Saensak Muangsurin.

Since then, the southpaw has gone onto win world titles in two more weight classes and unifying the lightweight division for the vacant WBC lightweight belt against Luke Campbell. And, in truth, other than his flash knockdown from Jorge Linares - a man who he TKO'd in the 10th - Lomachenko barely has a scratch on him, and is now on top of the world in less than a third of Mayweather's entire fight career.

Mayweather CV is one of the best there is. With world titles across five weight classes, it's true what he told his most recent victim, Conor McGregor: "Ain't nobody that can beat me."

Whilst his latest battle was littered with the dollar sign, rather than boxing integrity, there is no denying Floyd's 50-0 is absolutely stunning. Pacquiao, Alvarez, Arturo Gatti, Ricky Hatton, Oscar De La Hoya, Juan Manuel Marquez, Marcos Maidana (twice), Jose Luis Castillo (twice) and Andre Berto are just a bunch of superstars dethroned and conquered by Mayweather over a 21-year career.

On the other hand, winning his first world title against Genaro Hernandez in 1998, with a then-record of 18-0, 'Loma' already had already conquered three weight classes. Although, Mayweather's career is undoubtedly going to outdo the 32-year-old's in the long run, as it's doubtful to see him getting close to the 50-0 before he calls it a day.

Now, only Rocky Marciano comes close to the Michigan-born's record, beating his compatriot's 49-0 when he eased past McGregor in 2017. Yes, Jimmy Barry has a record of 60-0, but there are also 10 draws to be included here, plus, most of his fights took place in the 1800s, a time when many men in the ring were not professional fighters on the level of those printed on Mayweather's CV.

To make it 51-0 and have number 51 be that of Lomachenko, even the most critical fans would struggle to argue against Mayweather being the greatest ever. Right now, beating those included in that 'greatest ever' argument, such as Pacquiao, already puts him at the top of many experts' list - beating Lomachenko would surely seal the deal.

If he beats 'Loma', forget Muhammed Ali, forget the Sugar Ray's of the world. It will be Mayweather out there, sitting on a throne, crafted and perfected by himself.

If you put two and two together, both fighters have unparalleled records that neither will match, making it so tough to call. Lomachenko's rise to the top was faster than anybody else's, whilst his amateur record is second to none, showing he truly is a boxing genius amongst men.

On the other hand, the retired PPV legend has an unmatched 50-0 and barely got touched in his time, after never even being knocked down, or seemingly stunned too badly.

Mayweather was - legally, at least - knocked down in his career, taking to the canvas because he hurt his right hand against Carlos Hernandez. Although it was counted as a knockdown, it was not because of Hernandez's superiority, rather that of a genuine injury.

Despite the likes of Zab Judah, Shane Mosley, DeMarcus Corley and Maidana rocking the champion, Mayweather ultimately showed why he is regarded as the best for so many, as he adjusted and perfected his gameplan mid-battle to come out on top - not many can do that.

The same similarities apply with their abilities. Mayweather's defensive nature will be talked about in every boxing masterclass from now. At the same time, Lomachenko's Matrix-esque methods have transformed how we analyse the sweet science.

It's tough to say who would win. Perhaps Lomachenko becomes the bookmakers favourite, due to the fact he is in his peak years and 11 years younger than 43-year-old Mayweather. Although, this is Mayweather, and even in his 40s he looks in phenomenal shape, as he graces us with his beauty on social media enough for us to say that he will still take some beating.

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