Vasyl Lomachenko becomes quickest two-weight world champion in boxing history after stunning knock-out triumph
The silky Ukrainian won the WBO super-weight title in just his seventh professional fight after destroying Roman Martinez
VASYL LOMACHENKO became boxing's quickest ever two-weight world champion after destroying Roman Martinez to win the WBO super-featherweight title at New York's Madison Square Garden.
In just his seventh professional fight, the silky Ukrainian – who secured Olympic gold in both 2008 and 2012 – floored Puerto Rico's Martinez with a devastating left uppercut-right hook combination in the fifth round to triumph.
The 28-year-old, who moved to 6-1 with the win, had won the WBO featherweight strap in his third fight, after a losing effort for the same belt in just his second pro fight.
Lomachenko, who would dedicate his victory to "the greatest man who ever laced up gloves", Muhammad Ali, said after his win: "I came to do my job, I did my job very well tonight."
Lomachenko's promoter, Bob Arum, added: "I think anybody who follows boxing would see this performance and realise they have seen the birth of a superstar."
The beaten Martinez, 33, conceded that he just could not see the rapid Lomachenko's quick fists.
Martinez admitted: "I couldn’t see his hands".