How did Vasiliy Lomachenko’s father help him master his ‘matrix-like’ footwork?
Ukrainian world champion boxer Vasiliy Lomachenko has credited his father for his insane footwork. Check out the role played by his father.
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Vasiliy Lomachenko (Image Courtesy - The Mirror)
Vasiliy Lomachenko is the greatest amateur boxer of all time. He amassed a record of 396 wins and a single loss in his amateur boxing career. Lomachenko has two Olympic Gold medals in two separate divisions. He turned pro in 2013 and kept dominating the sport of boxing. Vasiliy Lomachenko is known for his iconic footwork and the ability to switch stances during fights.
The multi-time world champion had the guidance of his father, Anatoly Lomachenko, throughout his career. Anatoly had extensive boxing experience and the mindset to mold Vasiliy into a world-class boxer. Anatoly’s vision enabled Vasiliy to master his matrix-esque footwork. However, most boxing fans do not know the story behind Lomchenko mastering his footwork.
Related: Vasiliy Lomachenko record: How many times has ‘Ukrainian genius’ lost in boxing career?
How did Anatoly Lomachenko craft his son’s footwork?
Lomachenko utilizes his iconic footwork to avoid strikes. His constant movement and positioning have made it impossible for boxers to strike him. Fans and analysts bestowed the moniker “The Matrix” because of his insane movements that mirror the movement of Neo in the popular film The Matrix. However, it was only possible due to the brilliance of his father’s vision to mold an unhittable boxer.
In an interview, Vasiliy talked about his early days as a boxer. He said, “He didn’t pay attention to my hands. He didn’t pay attention to my defense. First, he was paying attention to my footwork.” It proved to be a monumental idea as an unhittable boxer can be equally effective as a knockout artist. It turned out to prove fruitful in the legendary career of Lomachenko. He also made Loma take dancing lessons to improve his footwork.
What classes did Vasiliy Lomachenko take in his childhood days?
In interviews, Lomachenko has often talked about his desire to become an ice-hockey player. He only chose boxing because of his father’s expertise in the sport. However, his father had a master plan in mind. He wanted to develop Loma as a boxer who cannot be hit. Anatoly enrolled Loma in Ukrainian dance classes.
Lomachenko started training in the Ukrainian art form of Hopak from a young age. The art form utilizes many jumps and spins throughout its performance. It requires speed and stamina to perform; once the performance begins, it will not stop until its conclusion. Anatoly saw the art form as a perfect framework to mold Loma’s movement inside the boxing ring. He always prioritized feet above hand power. Vasiliy Lomachenko’s footwork from his years of training as a dancer became his biggest strength.
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