Lomachenko – Rodriguez added to Mayweather – Pacquiao card

According to Dan Rafael of espn.com, Vasyl Lomachenko will defend the WBO featherweight title against Gamalier Rodriguez on May 2 as part of the Floyd Mayweather – Manny Pacquiao card in Las Vegas.

“I’m his biggest fan and I was from the beginning,” Arum said of Lomachenko. “I thought this guy was amazing and it’s an honor to promote him. I want the fans on May 2 to see a typical Lomachenko display of all of his talents, his smarts, his body punching. He’s an extraordinary talent and this is a good platform to exhibit that talent before the biggest possible audience.”

Giving Lomachenko a coveted spot on the biggest boxing card in many years reminded Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti of how a future star — Pacquiao — was positioned on the undercard of the Lennox Lewis-Mike Tyson pay-per-view card in 2002. Lewis-Tyson was a hugely anticipated heavyweight championship fight and became the highest grossing fight in history at the time.

“I remember when we did Lewis-Tyson and an ultra-talented lighter weight southpaw was featured on that mega card. It was Manny,” said Moretti, who at the time worked for Main Events, Lewis’ promoter. “This has the same type of feeling and we believe it will launch Lomachenko’s status, both in and out of the ring.

“Gammy is a very talented, hardworking boxer-puncher, who accepted this challenge without any hesitation. Puerto Rico will be fully behind him in this fight.”