By Jake Donovan

Every fight has been a big one for Vasyl Lomachenko since his Oct. ’13 pro debut, though none bigger than the stage he enters on Saturday evening. The reigning featherweight titlist defends versus Puerto Rico’s Gamalier Rodriguez in the chief support to the highly anticipated showdown between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

The scheduled 12-round affair serves as the opening bout of a three-fight telecast airing live on Pay-Per-View (Saturday, 9:00 p.m. ET/6:00 p.m. PT).

Big plans have been in store for Lomachenko (3-1, 1KO) ever since turning pro in Oct. ’13. The two-time Olympic Gold medalist from Ukraine was thrown into a regional title fight in his pro debut, stopping 28-fight veteran Jose Ramirez inside of four rounds. The bout served as an undercard primer for Tim Bradley’s close-but-clear win over Juan Manuel Marquez.

A swing at the featherweight title came in just his second pro fight, though coming up just short in a split decision loss to Orlando Salido last March. Salido pushed the boundaries of the rules in every way – from showing up heavy at the weigh-in, to the frighteningly high number of low blows thrown in the fight.

Lomachecko went on to win the vacant belt, soundly outpointing Gary Russell over 12 rounds last June. One defense has followed, a unanimous decision over Thailand’s Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo last November, in the chief support to Pacquiao’s shutout win over Chris Algieri.

Rodriguez (25-2-3, 17KOs) has never come close to performing on a stage like this, or even boasting the level of experience through nine years that Lomachenko has already garnered in just 19 months as a pro. What the boxer-puncher from Puerto Rico brings to the table is heart, determination and an ability to overcome adversity.

Proof of the latter comes in the form of his simply making it to this point. Rodriguez staggered out to a dismal 8-2-3 career start before making significant changes in his camp. The result has been a 17-fight win streak he carries into tonight’s bout. Included among the lot is an upset win over Orlando Cruz last April.

Will Lomachenko prove to be far too much for yet another more experienced foe? Or will Rodriguez continue his current hot streak, bumping off a promising young star in the process?

Read on to see how the staff at BoxingScene.com believes tonight’s featherweight action plays out in Las Vegas.

BOXINGSCENE.COM STAFF PREDICTIONS: VASYL LOMACHENKO vs. GAMALIER RODRIGUEZ

Ryan Burton (Lomachenko TKO11): Rodriguez is a good fighter but Lomachenko is on a different level and I expect a dominate performance with a late stoppage.

Jake Donovan (Lomachenko Dec.): Sadly, this bout might have the best shot at an upset among the six mismatches gracing the undercard of the most anticipated show of this generation. That’s not to say Rodriguez is a live underdog, though I expect him to put up enough of a fight to force the supremely gifted Lomachenko to go all 12. Beating up on Orlando Cruz helped get Gamalier here; just not sure I’ve seen enough evidence in any of his fights to pull off a shocker here, but will give a spirited effort while Lomachenko continues to do great things in his young career.

Terence Dooley (Lomachenko Dec.): Rodriguez doesn't get stopped; Vasyl has only one to his name thus far in his short career. He should win this on points, and at a canter.

 

Takahiro Onaga (Lomachenko UD): Much different level of class between these two. Complete mismatch but Lomachenko’s lack of power sees bout go 12 rounds.

Cliff Rold (Lomachenko KO): This is a spotlight fight and it's there to make Vasyl look good. He will.

Francisco Salazar (Lomachenko KO10): I saw Vasyl train in Oxnard last week. He's a beast and technically sound. He sparred 15 rounds with four different fighters and didn't slow down in the final round of sparring. Rodriguez has beaten a few decent does of late, but Lomachenko is going to school him. After a slow start, look for Lomachenko to dominate and eventually getting the TKO.

Victor Salazar (Lomachenko TKO): This should be a fun scrap while it lasts. Gamalier isn’t on Lomachenko’s level and this fight may be too soon for him at the moment. It’s funny saying that because of the amount of fights Lomachenko has. Either way I think Lomachenko stops Gamalier.

Reynaldo Sanchez (Lomachenko KO8): Despite what the paper says, is difficult to choose Rodríguez and experience. Lomachenko is superior in every area.

Alexey Sukachev (Lomachenko KO9): It's hard to find any objective reason for the little-known Boricua to win this fight. Lomachenko should prove his status of an elite featherweight and stop Rodriguez later on after masterful and prolonged beating before that.

Stacey Verbeek (Lomachenko KO6): Lomachenko will control this fight from the beginning and end it early, scoring a KO in the 6th round.

Totals:

Lomachenko–10

Rodriguez–0

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox