I hear what your saying the reason Lomachenko has had so few fights was because he stayed at amateur level for so long, his pedigree at amateur level which obviously isn't anywhere near the pro level is ridiculous - mean who else has gone 396-1. Thats better than GGG. 2 Olympic golds shows what his mentality is like. The stepping up in weight is a good point though, Linares isn't a big puncher but Lomachenko might not have felt such power before given he's stepping up.
I still fancy Lomachenko but maybe I'm getting excited by the new pretender than the old stalwart but either way can't wait to watch it and I'm glad this fight has been made.
Its a fight of the year contender potentially, Lomachenko definitely has fantastic pedigree from the amateurs which always stands you in good stead so it isn't to be sniffed at but I just can't believe the betting when you consider this is a really, really big step up in opposition, it suggests he will steam roller Linares which I can't see happening. Linares can definitely bang imo although maybe not quite as explosively as you would like but he can knock Lomachenko out, no doubt about it but I know the opposite is definitely possible too.
Either way, it is going to be a great fight, can't see it being a damp squid. These are two guys who know how to box and have a bit of a ruck too.