Originally posted by PNUT901
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I’m just more inclined to give Loma’s shallow numbers in the pro ranks a pass. Almost 400 amateur bouts, many at elite international level, was insane. He was never going to have a really extensive pro career after all that, and whilst I agree he could have been more active during the first few years, the ambition he showed was still unprecedented. Faced a legit fringe contender in his debut, experienced world class vet in his second outing, and on it continued. I understand he wanted to challenge for a world title in his debut but Arum insisted on one fight first. I actually believe Loma could have won a world title in his very first outing, providing the situation wasn’t blatantly rigged against him, as it was with the Salido debacle.
It’s also cruelly significant that Loma’s injuries coincided with his last, rapid rise in weight to exclusively face naturally bigger men. Beating down a peak form Linares who reportedly outweighed him by 12lbs in the ring, while suffering from a torn labrum, was incredible and grossly under-valued. But Lopez was a different beast, and a near repeat of that injury was always going to be a disaster.
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