“I’ve been in this game for a long time,” Lomachenko said before the tough test

THE BIBLE is the best game. One minute, he’s fighting Devin Haney for all the marbles at lightweight, three judges’ cards away from achieving an undisputed lifelong dream, and the next, he’s traveling halfway around the world to challenge for the vacant belt.

This is the situation Vasiliy Lomachenko finds himself in as he rides into Australia later this evening. George Kambosos Jr has entertained the same fans many times before. Home advantage? You better believe it.

Kambosos is still oozing the last of his loyalty juice left from the night he defeated Teofimo Lopez. Make no mistake, he was outstanding at the time. Between his strong preparation and Lopez’s antics, the perfect storm was created for Kambosos to sail in and grab the win.

He still feels the same energy, even promising to take down his veteran enemy. That would be be a statement.

Even if Teofimo’s tussle seems to be just one job, it shows us one thing: erasing Kambosos is a dangerous game. It is the one below the last who stands up to meet the doubters and pass them by. Full of carelessness, perhaps carelessness, self-confidence, even defeat, Kambosos refuses to believe that he can really be beaten.

The heavy favorite to beat Maxi Hughes in Oklahoma, the Aussie won by majority decision but it looked as if he had just missed one. While Maxi is dogged and determined to make a southpaw, awkward and difficult to find, Lomachenko is a left-hander.

If Maxi Hughes can repeatedly back down, block, and trap Kambosos, then someone of Lomachenko’s caliber will be able to do the same.

These are two fighters who have tasted success and want to touch redemption. You might even suggest that they are two men with a shoulder-to-shoulder mentality who rise up when the up-and-comers gather and whisper.

One boxer comes back from a fight that many thought he had won, and another won that many thought he lost.

Lomachenko is a natural 126-pounder who has risen to chase fame and championship fights and has been on the wrong end of some close decisions. Given his attitude and experience, he is from Ukraine he is less likely to go forward and direct Kambosos’ shots like the out-of-form Teofimo Lopez did.

“I’ve been in this game for a long time,” Lomachenko said, in an understated way given his vast novice background.

“We are two experts. We know boxing. We know the strategy. It will make them both very happy. “

It’s quite interesting, especially for “Ferocious” Kambosos who is on fire and leaves no stone unturned in the gym and has a reputation as a hard horse.

“I am extremely confident. I bring that confidence to my preparation,” said Kambosos.

“When I beat Lomachenko, there will be no way for him to leave. This is retirement for him.”

If not, then retirement is certainly close for the 36-year-old who is already struggling with his thoughts and having closed conversations about future plans.

The “Matrix” version that defeated Luke Campbell and brutally fired Anthony Crolla is subtly going down, but stubborn rival Masayoshi Nakatani, as if he has a point to prove, remains – in the mind, at least.

The aging body must agree if those good margins, set later in the evening in Perth, are to be reduced again.