Vasiliy Lomachenko has officially confirmed that he intends to end his retirement from professional boxing, setting the stage for a highly anticipated comeback that will see the Ukrainian legend return to the super featherweight division.
The multi-division world champion and Olympic icon revealed his future plans live on DAZN during a broadcast from San Antonio, sending shockwaves through the boxing world. According to Lomachenko, he is planning a formal return to the ring in 2027. More importantly, he has already staked his claim on the elite level of the 130-pound weight class, stating that he is specifically targeting the winner of the high-stakes world championship bout between Emanuel Navarrete and O’Shaquie Foster.
That matchup carries immense significance for Lomachenko’s grand ambitions. The winner of that clash will command three world title belts in the division, laying a direct path toward the ultimate accolade that has eluded the Ukrainian maestro: becoming an undisputed champion.
Lomachenko explained that his decision to step away from the sport previously stemmed from the reality that the 135-pound lightweight division was simply not his natural weight class. Competing against larger, naturally heavier men eventually took a toll, prompting his hiatus. By dropping back down to 130 pounds, Lomachenko returns to a weight class where he historically dominated, though he hasn’t fought at super featherweight since his masterclass victory over Guillermo Rigondeaux back in 2017.
When asked about his physical readiness and current training regime, Lomachenko offered an honest and measured assessment. While he admitted that everything looks promising in the early stages of his preparation, he is well aware of the realities facing an elite athlete nearing his late thirties. Lomachenko turns 39 in February, and at this stage of his career, he is refusing to look too far ahead or count his chickens before they hatch.
"During the preparation, it looks very good, but nobody knows what will happen after another month or two of preparation," Lomachenko said during the DAZN broadcast. "We’ll see. But right now, everything’s good."
The announcement carried an extra layer of intrigue given the venue and the broadcast setting. Lomachenko made his declaration while attending a Top Rank boxing event. Throughout his storied professional career, the Ukrainian star fought exclusively under the Top Rank promotional banner, helmed by legendary promoter Bob Arum. Notably, Lomachenko only brought up his plans to officially end his retirement after his promotional contract with Top Rank had formally concluded.
However, a return to the negotiating table with his longtime promoter has not been ruled out. When it was pointed out that he was currently at a Top Rank event, Lomachenko acknowledged that fighting under the Top Rank banner again remains a distinct possibility. From a business perspective, boxing observers note it is a smart stance to maintain, as there is no real reason for a fighter of his stature to close doors or rule out working with any viable promoter capable of delivering the championship opportunities he craves.
Lomachenko enters this comeback chapter boasting an impressive professional record of 18 wins and 3 losses, with 12 of those victories coming by way of knockout. His last appearance inside the squared circle came in May 2024, when he traveled on the road to Australia and delivered a masterclass performance to stop George Kambosos Jr., capturing the IBF lightweight title in the process.
Following that impressive triumph, intense discussions and high-profile rumors swirled regarding a potential mega-fight against undefeated American star Gervonta “Tank” Davis. The prospective bout had fans and pundits alike dreaming of a defining superfight of the era, but the negotiations ultimately failed to materialize, paving the way for Lomachenko’s subsequent step away from the sport.
Now, with a clear focus on the 130-pound division and a burning desire to capture the remaining pieces required to unify the weight class, Lomachenko is preparing to test the waters once more. As the boxing landscape watches closely, the fundamental question remains for the former pound-for-pound king: Can Vasiliy Lomachenko successfully orchestrate a triumphant return to world title-level dominance, or has his time on the sidelines and advancing age finally caught up with him?
