Lomachenko Making a Return in 2026

[Ruthless-RKO]

Vasiliy Lomachenko is coming out of retirement and is targeting a return in the fall of this year, sources tell The Ring’s @MikeCoppinger.

Lomachenko’s contract with Top Rank expires today and he’s now a promotional free agent seeking the biggest fights possible.

[margaret thatcher]

was his 'retirement' just some move to get out of his top rank contract

[Ruthless-RKO]

Looks like he retired so his contract would run out. Now Turki will get him a big money fight on Riyadh Season.

[Ruthless-RKO]

was his 'retirement' just some move to get out of his top rank contract

Exactly what it sounds like.

The fact it says his contact expires today and he’s making a return.

Very convenient.

[gilgamesh]

I don't think he'll have it in him to win the big ones at this point but he could possibly avenge his loss to Teofimo if they line him up for that.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[goose 5]

He'd be a good match for Lamont Roach.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Vasiliy Lomachenko ends retirement, eyes fall return

Three-weight world champion Vasiliy Lomachenko is coming out of retirement and targeting a return in fall of this year, sources tell The Ring.

Lomachenko's contract with Top Rank expires May 12 and he's now a promotional free agent. The future Hall of Fame is only interested in marquee fights, sources said, and isn't interested in tune-ups.

Lomachenko (18-3, 12 KOs) last fought in May 2024 when he stopped George Kambosos in 11 rounds to win the IBF lightweight title.

The two-time Olympic champion was in talks to fight Gervonta Davis in the fall of 2024 but was dealing with back issues, leading him to announce his retirement the following June.

The 38-year-old's back is feeling much better now, per sources, and he plans to fight a couple more times. That could include revisiting the "Tank" Davis fight.

Lomachenko could still work with Top Rank moving forward. He won Olympic gold medals for Ukraine in Beijing (2008) and London (2012) before transitioning to the paid ranks, claiming world titles in three weight divisions.

His first world title victory came in his third pro appearance, a 12-round decision win over Gary Russell Jr to claim the vacant WBO featherweight belt.

Lomachenko's losses meanwhile, all came in title fights via decision.

His first defeat came against Orlando Salido in his second pro fight at featherweight. He also was outpointed by Teofimo Lopez in 2020 and Devin Haney three years later at lightweight. Nonetheless, Lomachenko remained a staple within the pound-for-pound list since his first title victory some 14 years ago.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Vasiliy Lomachenko ending yearlong retirement, eyes fall fight

Vasiliy Lomachenko is planning to end his retirement and return to boxing later this year, his manager, Egis Klimas, told ESPN on Wednesday.

"We are working on his comeback this fall," Klimas said.

When Lomachenko does return, he will be a free agent as his contract with Top Rank expired on May 12, and will target the biggest and best fighters in the world.

Lomachenko announced his retirement last June, one year after stopping former undisputed lightweight champion George Kambosos Jr. at RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. There were preliminary talks of a blockbuster fight with Gervonta "Tank" Davis, but the fight never materialized. After taking the rest of 2024 off to mull over his future, Lomachenko released a video announcing that he would end his career at age 37.

At the time of his retirement, Lomachenko (18-3, 12 KOs) was a three-division world champion who was widely recognized as one of the best boxers in the world and a mainstay on pound for pound lists.

"Hi Tech" won his first world championship as a featherweight in his third pro fight after a stellar amateur career in which he won Olympic gold for his native Ukraine at the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Olympics and amassed a record of 396-1. He would go on to become a world champion at junior lightweight and lightweight.

After losing a controversial decision to Devin Haney in 2023, he bounced back with a dominant win over Kambosos before ultimately deciding to call it a career.

His return will be highly anticipated due to the change in landscape in the smaller weight classes. He has not announced what weight he will return at but does have plans to compete more than once now that his back issues are seemingly behind him.

[RuudOEN84]

Hopefully they're going to make a blockbuster fight against Gervonta Davis.
That is the best option, because his other former rivals have moved up two weight divisions.

Shakur Stevenson is an option, but at Loma's age he won't be able to beat him anymore.

[gilgamesh]

Hopefully they're going to make a blockbuster fight against Gervonta Davis.
That is the best option, because his other former rivals have moved up two weight divisions.

Shakur Stevenson is an option, but at Loma's age he won't be able to beat him anymore.

He won't be able to beat Tank either.

Lomachenko is a fighter who's style relied heavily on speed and reflexes, and he's now 38 and has been inactive for the last 2 years. It is a near certainty he won't be as effective as he's been previously when he comes back.

That being said he might as well fight the biggest money fight possible because there's a good chance he won't win his first fight back regardless of who he's fighting.

[RuudOEN84]

Hopefully they're going to make a blockbuster fight against Gervonta Davis.
That is the best option, because his other former rivals have moved up two weight divisions.

Shakur Stevenson is an option, but at Loma's age he won't be able to beat him anymore.

He won't be able to beat Tank either.

Lomachenko is a fighter who's style relied heavily on speed and reflexes, and he's now 38 and has been inactive for the last 2 years. It is a near certainty he won't be as effective as he's been previously when he comes back.

That being said he might as well fight the biggest money fight possible because there's a good chance he won't win his first fight back regardless of who he's fighting.

I also expect Tank to win, and I don't mind that because he's still my favourite boxer.
But he's been out for a very long time too, maybe not living the life of a professional.
Style-wise it would make a great matchup.

[kimtorresph]

A boxer coming out of retirement? what a surprise. Bud making a return nexr

[Ruthless-RKO]

Arum on Lomachenko: I don't know what, if anything, he’s lost

Vasiliy Lomachenko plans to return from a two-year hiatus this fall at the age of 38.

The development, which was first reported by The Ring’s Mike Coppinger, came as somewhat of a surprise, especially since Lomachenko passed on high-profile fights along the way and officially announced that he was riding off into the sunset 11 months ago.

But Lomachenko's promotional contract with career-long promoter Top Rank expired this week, apparently giving Loma even more reason to lace the gloves up again searching for a significant fight without any tune-ups.

The landscape for Lomachenko (18-3, 12 KOs), a former three-division champion from featherweight to lightweight, would entail potential fights against top draws like Gervonta Davis and Shakur Stevenson or Top Rank-aligned upstart lightweight beltholders Abdullah Mason and Raymond Muratalla.

“I don't know what, if anything, Lomachenko has lost with a two-year retirement,” Top Rank boss Bob Arum told reporters. “So, for me to hypothesize how he would do with all of these younger guys would be wrong. We'll just have to see.

“I don't know what his financial situation is. He earned a lot of money with us. He lives in Ukraine, and there are a lot of problems there. Maybe he needs money, or maybe he's just anxious to get out of the house.

"But Loma represents the best of what boxing has to offer. I wish him the best because he was a great, great warrior for us. He really epitomizes the best in boxing.”

Lomachenko last fought in May 2024, scoring an 11th-round stoppage of George Kambosos in Australia for the vacant IBF lightweight title, which he vacated upon retirement.

Before announcing his retirement, the two-time Olympic gold medalist was in talks to face “Tank” Davis in the fall of 2024, but the Ukrainian passed on the bout as he endured lingering back issues.

It remains to be seen what the desired weight will be for Lomachenko's return.

Even during his heyday, Lomachenko maintained that he felt too small at 135 pounds, at which he fought the last 10 fights of his career and suffered competitive losses along the way against his toughest opponents in Devin Haney in 2023 and Teofimo Lopez three years earlier.

[robbydecker]

If he could drop down to 130, I think he'd have a good chance to reclaim the Jr Lightweight strap.
Those Young Tigers at 135 might be just a bit too much for the 38 year old Lomachenko.
Personally I'd Love to see a bout with him versus Inoue.
They'd Both make Super Mega Paychecks.
Both could theoretically ride off into the sunset afterwards, regardless of the result.
Also a real possibility that it'd be such a great bout that a rematch would be immediately called for, by both camps.
They'd both make Mega Super Duper Bank then..!!

[Ruthless-RKO]

Lomachenko Targets Fights With Navarrete, 'Tank' Davis

Vasiliy Lomachenko won’t ease back into his return after being out of the ring for two-plus years.

The Ring’s Mike Coppinger reported last week that Lomachenko, a former three-division world champion, is coming out of retirement for a fight in the fall and is only seeking significant bouts. On the latest episode of “Inside The Ring,” which debuted Monday on DAZN, Coppinger reported that the former Ring champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist is looking at unified IBF and WBO 130-pound champion Emanuel Navarrete as a possible opponent.

Coppinger added that if Lomachenko were to fight and beat Navarrete, he could then set his sights on WBA lightweight champion in recess Gervonta Davis. Representatives for Lomachenko (18-3, 12 KOs) and Davis were in talks for a potential bout in late 2024, before the Ukrainian southpaw retired.

Lomachenko, 38, last fought in May 2024, when he beat George Kambosos by 11th-round stoppage to win the then-vacant IBF lightweight title. He opted to retire in June 2025 as he continued to deal with lingering back issues.

Lomachenko has held titles at featherweight, junior lightweight and lightweight. He twice held a world title at lightweight and was a unified champion during his first title reign.

Navarrete (40-2-1, 33 KOs) and Davis (30-0-1, 28 KOs) would both fit the bill as a big fight for Lomachenko. Navarrete, of San Juan Zitlaltepec, Distrito Federal, Mexico, is coming one of the best wins of his career, an 11th-round stoppage of Eduardo Nunez on February 28 to become a unified 130-pound titleholder.

That win also helped land the 31-year-old Navarrete at No. 10 on The Ring’s pound-for-pound list. Navarrete has won world titles in three divisions.

Davis had been one of boxing’s top attractions, but he has lost all momentum after opting for a fight with Jake Paul, which was cancelled due to Davis’ legal issues. The 31-year-old southpaw from Baltimore, Maryland, last fought to a majority draw against Lamont Roach Jr. in March 2025.

[skanksta]

If you don't like Loma you don't like boxing.
Pleased he's back, and hopoe the layoff hasn't reduced his greatness.

He's perhaps one of the rare few that might just be as good as ever - hope so.

[Ruthless-RKO]

If you don't like Loma you don't like boxing.
Pleased he's back, and hopoe the layoff hasn't reduced his greatness.

He's perhaps one of the rare few that might just be as good as ever - hope so.

I'm sure with his discipline, he's still training.

[skanksta]

If you don't like Loma you don't like boxing.
Pleased he's back, and hopoe the layoff hasn't reduced his greatness.

He's perhaps one of the rare few that might just be as good as ever - hope so.

I'm sure with his discipline, he's still training.

Yeah

[victor-romeo]

He needs a warm up fight or he will for sure lose to a top opponent. That is one of the reasons he lost to Teofimo Lopez he had been out of the ring too long.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Usyk happy to see Lomachenko return to boxing

Oleksandr Usyk couldn’t stop himself from smiling when he heard the news.

Vasiliy Lomachenko, Usyk's Ukrainian countryman and a former three-division titleholder, plans to return to boxing after a two-year hiatus. And he has the heavyweight champion's full support.

“If it’s true, it’s good. I like it,” Usyk told Matchroom Boxing.

As reported by The Ring, Lomachenko (18-3, 12 KOs) is eyeing a matchup with IBF and WBO junior lightweight belt holder Emanuel Navarrete. He’s also hoping to face Gervonta Davis immediately after. Lomachenko and Davis were in talks for a fight in 2024 before the former opted to retire after beating George Kambosos for the IBF lightweight title.

Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs), who is set to defend his Ring and unified titles against kickboxing star Rico Verhoeven in The Ring's "Glory in Giza" card at the Pyramids in Egypt on DAZN, said Lomachenko played a role in his own success at cruiserweight and heavyweight.

Lomachenko won Olympic gold medals in 2008 and 2012 to establish himself as an amateur legend. Usyk also was an Olympic champion in 2012 before his dominating run as a professional.

Usyk said he has looked up to Lomachenko.

“Listen, my first Olympic Games, after the final where Vasiliy won, I said, 'OK, I too want Olympic gold,'” Usyk said. “Loma is like a motivation.”

[Ruthless-RKO]

WBO: Lomachenko can fight Navarrete after Suarez gets his shot

The WBO won’t let Vasiliy Lomachenko skip the line.

As reported by The Ring’s Mike Coppinger, the three-division world champion is planning to end a two-year retirement in the fall, with one of his desired opponents being Emanuel Navarrete, the WBO and IBF junior lightweight champion.

The WBO informed The Ring that it is willing to let Lomachenko get a crack at the unified champion, but not until Navarrete fights Charly Suarez.

Shortly after beating Eduardo Nunez to unify the 130-pound titles, the WBO ordered Navarrete to fight Suarez, his mandatory challenger.

The two fought last May and with Suarez being the heavy underdog. Despite that, he had plenty of success and gave Navarrete a serious fight.

Navarrete (40-2-1, 33 KOs, 1 NC) initially won a technical decision after suffering a cut which stopped the fight in the eighth round. The cut was believed to have been caused by an accidental headbutt and Suarez was down just one point on two judges' scorecards. However, the decision was eventually overturned to a No Contest as the large gash that opened up over Navarrete’s left eye was proven to be the result of a punch, not a clash of heads.

Suarez (18-0, 10 KOs, 1 NC) will first take a stay-busy fight against Manuel Avila on July 11. Navarrete will have to fight him immediately after.

In the meantime, Lomachenko, who held Navarrete’s WBO 130-pound title in 2016, could wait around for the winner. He may also go down another path.

Gervonta Davis was also mentioned as someone Lomachenko (18-3, 12 KOs) wants to get his hands on. The two were initially in discussions to fight at the end of 2024, shortly after “Loma” beat George Kambosos for the IBF lightweight title.
Those discussions never gained any traction, however, and soon after, Lomachenko abruptly retirement

[Ruthless-RKO]

Breaking News: Vasiliy Lomachenko wants Charly Suarez for comeback, official says

Vasiliy Lomachenko is targeting recent super-featherweight title challenger Charly Suarez for his comeback fight after more than a two-year hiatus, BS learned Wednesday.

An official briefed on Lomachenko’s plans said Lomachenko 18-3 (12 KOs) wants to take on what he considers a formidable challenge against the undefeated fighter from the Philippines and will be ready for the bout after Suarez 18-0 (10 KOs) participates on the July 11 San Francisco Civic Center card that’s expected to draw a large outdoor audience with mostly free attendance.

Lomachenko views the Suarez bout as ideal, an official familiar with the matter told Boxing Scene.

In victory, Lomachenko reasons, he can next meet unified super-featherweight champion Emanuel Navarrete.

Suarez is the mandatory WBO challenger to Mexico’s Navarrete after the pair fought to a controversial no-contest on May 10, 2025, when a cut over Navarrete’s eye stopped the bout and was ruled the result of an accidental headbutt.

That sent the fight to the scorecards and Navarrete won 77-76, 78-75, 77-76, but video replay that later emerged showed the cut was caused by a Suarez punch, meaning he should have won. The California State Athletic Commission changed the Navarrete victory to a no-contest, and the WBO ordered a rematch.

Navarrete, 31, in February stopped then-IBF champion Eduardo “Sugar” Nunez in Arizona to become unified champion at 130lbs as Suarez moved to his July fight to keep busy.

Lomachenko has left his former promoter Top Rank and is being represented by a new group. Suarez is now being promoted by Sampson Lewkowicz.

Navarrete, still being promoted by Top Rank, said recently in his first public comments on the possibility that former three-division Lomachenko is targeting him, that he’s keeping his options open as his next career move awaits.

WBO/IBF super-featherweight champion Navarrete said, “if he comes for me, then [I’ll] focus on him.”

In a conversation with ESPN Knockout, three-division champion Navarrete 40-2-1 (33KOs) spoke of his respect for Lomachenko and his legacy after the two-time Olympic gold medalist walked away from the sport after defeating George Kambosos Jnr for the IBF lightweight belt two years ago.

“He’s already done more than enough, right?” Navarrete said. “He’s done a lot of impressive and very good things.”

Lomachenko lost only to world champions Orlando Salido (in his second pro bout), Devin Haney and Teofimo Lopez while amassing world titles in three weight classes and once stopping four consecutive opponents on their stools – including fellow two-time Olympic champion Guillermo Rigondeaux – to earn the nickname “No-Mas-Chenko.”

Navarrete, 31, has interest in Saturday’s WBC 130lbs title defense by champion O’Shaquie Foster versus Raymond Ford after Foster sat ringside for Navarrete’s most recent victory.

Ultimately, Lomachenko is a far greater draw for a Navarrete bout that could land anywhere in the Southwest U.S. – Las Vegas, Phoenix, Los Angeles – and perform strongly.

Boxing Scene learned Wednesday that no negotiations of substance have occurred between Lomachenko’s representatives and those of another prominent lightweight champion believed to be on Lomachenko’s list, Gervonta “Tank” Davis.