Richard Commey’s night didn’t end in a victory, the upset of Vasiliy Lomachenko wasn’t to be. Yet somehow it didn’t seem as if Commey lost.
The majority of the 8,555 at Madison Square Garden in New York were there to cheer on the Ukraine’s Lomachenko. They got their wish as Lomachenko won a clear 12-round unanimous decision.
Even so, Commey could not be labeled a loser. Not when that same crowd applauded every word uttered by the Ghanaian warrior during his post-fight interview, as if they came to see him and he didn’t disappoint.
"I fight for my country… I let them down."
Keep you head high, @RichardCommey. #LomaCommey pic.twitter.com/yBaqwgue54
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) December 12, 2021
“I fight for my country, I fight for my people,” said a choked-up Commey. “I let them down, but I believe I’m going to come back stronger.”
It’s this humble nature and positive demeanor that has led to Commey becoming one of the most-well liked figures in the U.S. boxing industry—from fans to fellow fighters to the movers and shakers.
Ultimately, it may have been his undoing against Lomachenko, a ring wizard who’ll gladly snatch a square mile when given an inch. Against a master boxer, Commey played nice. He didn’t rough Lomachenko up the way many expected him to; the way Orlando Salido did when he handed Lomachenko his first loss.
Commey (30-4, 17 KOs) didn’t match Lomachenko’s punch output either. Instead, he boxed with him, picking and choosing his spots to step in and unload combinations on the tricky southpaw. Early on, the strategy worked. The fight was competitive through four rounds as Lomachenko, wary of Commey’s power, threw sparingly.
Then Lomachenko found his range and preferred pace. Bit by bit, he went about the task of breaking Commey down. In the seventh round, he broke through. A series of hard shots to the head and body set Commey up for what looked to be the coup de grace: A short overhand left to the jaw that sent Commey crumpling to the mat.
Two years ago, Commey rose too quickly when he was dropped by Teofimo Lopez. He never regained control of his legs and was stopped moments later. This time, the former lightweight world champion was deliberate, using the ropes for support as he slowly pulled himself off the canvas.
Lomachenko, 33, 16-2 (11 KOs), went in for the kill but Commey was determined, even as his legs sagged from every blow. At one point, Lomachenko turned to Commey’s corner and implored them to stop the fight. His words fell on deaf ears. If he couldn’t do the job, they weren’t going to do it for him.
Commey survived but never threatened again. Lomachenko had his way with him for the bout’s remainder, winning by two scores of 119-108 and a third score of 117-110.
“I saw his situation. It was very hard for him,” Lomachenko said. “That’s why I said, ‘Hey, stop the fight.’ He is a true warrior. He has a big heart and we continue and we show {the} people 12 great rounds.”
Regarding the seventh round knockdown, Commey said, “I took my eye off him for a second and them boom! I just took my eyes off him and then that’s it. It is what it is. He’s a great fighter. I did what I had to do. I’m good. I’m not hurt. Nothing happened to me.”
Lomachenko is likely to target newly-crowned unified world lightweight champion George Kambosos Jr. Or perhaps he’ll seek a mega-showdown versus undefeated three-division champion and boxing superstar, Gervonta “Tank” Davis. No doubt, the man called “The Matrix” is primed for a big fight.
Where does Commey go from here?
A title shot at 135 is unlikely for the foreseeable future. A rise to the 140-pound division could open the way for new opportunities. Commey, who is a few months shy of his 35th birthday, has campaigned at lightweight since turning pro over a decade ago and may be due to move up.
Such a move would be an opportunity to conquer new ground—and re-visit old ones, like former rival Robert Easter Jr., who defeated Commey by razor-thin decision in their first world title bout back in 2016. Easter now fights at 140-pounds.
But no matter what happens, Richard Commey will always be a winner, from humble beginnings in Accra to capturing the hearts of the boxing world. This latest chapter may not have ended the way he liked, but it’s simply another tale, a footnote in the career of a man who has already triumphed.
