Vasiliy Lomachenko has retired!
Posted: 05 Jun 2025, 08:09
VASILIY LOMACHENKO, 37, ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM BOXING AFTER GLITTERING CAREER
Vasiliy Lomachenko has retired from boxing at the age of 37 after a glittering professional career in which he became a three-division champion.
As an amateur, the Ukrainian amassed a stunning record of 396-1 and won two Olympic gold medals, at Beijing 2008 and London 2012, before becoming a pound-for-pound star in the paid ranks.
His last outing was against George Kambosos Jr in May 2024 at Perth, Australia’s RAC Arena.
‘Loma’ won by 11th-round TKO and picked up the IBF lightweight title, which will now become vacant. Raymond Muratalla, the ‘interim’ titleholder at 135 pounds, will be elevated to full champion after beating Zaur Abdullaev on points last month.
In a video message posted to social media, Lomachenko said: “I’m grateful for every victory and defeat inside the ring and outside the ring. I’m thankful that as my career comes to an end, I've gained clarity about the direction a person must take in order to achieve true victory, not just in the ring.
"I thank god for my honest and wonderful and kind parents for their care, love and warmth I've felt throughout my life. My father taught me not only boxing, but how to be a role model for my own children.
"I've made many mistakes in life and in the gym but he was always by my side, correcting me when needed. I have many warm memories.
"To my family, you have always stood by me. You shared in my victories and you felt the pain of my losses. Those losses only made us stronger."
Lomachenko signed with Top Rank and began his pro career in 2013, competing for a world title in only his second fight against Orlando Salido, losing a controversial split decision.
His third bout brought world championship success, however, as he outpointed Gary Russell Jr to win the vacant WBO featherweight title. His win equalled the record set by Thailand's Saensak Muangsurin for winning a world title in the fewest professional fights.
In his seventh fight, Lomachenko became a two-division champion when he beat Roman Martinez by 5th-round KO to pick up the WBO junior-lightweight title.
Wins over Nicholas Walters, Miguel Marriaga and fellow amateur sensation Guillermo Rigondeaux followed at 130 pounds.
Lomachenko made his lightweight debut at Madison Square Garden in New York City in May 2018, winning The Ring and WBA titles from Jorge Linares, who he stopped in the 10th-round, having been knocked down himself earlier in the fight.
Lomachenko further unified in his next fight, beating Jose Pedraza by unanimous decision to win the WBO 135-pound belt. He then beat Brits Anthony Crolla and Luke Campbell, the latter of which took place at London's O2 Arena, with the WBC title also on the line.
He suffered the second defeat of his career in his next fight, however, as he was beaten by Teofimo Lopez, who won with unanimous scores of 116-112, 117-111, 119-109.
Non-title victories over the likes of Richard Commey and Jamaine Ortiz followed but Lomachenko lost to Devin Haney, with the American's undisputed lightweight titles on the line, in a close, entertaining, back-and-forth encounter at the MGM Grand in May 2023.
His final fight would be against Australian Kambosos Jr a year later.
It was hotly-anticipated that, in November 2024, Lomachenko would take on boxing superstar Gervonta Davis in a fight fans had lusted after for years, but the Ukrainian would elect to take a break from boxing instead.
That break, however, has ultimately led to the end of his illustrious in-ring career.
Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum said, "It’s been an honor for all of us at Top Rank to promote the pro boxing career of Vasiliy Lomachenko. He was a generational champion, and we will all miss his participation in the sport."
