Vasyl Lomachenko set for surprise return to the ring

Vasyl Lomachenko returns from retirement

Three-weight world champion Vasiliy Lomachenko (18-3, 12 KO) is coming out of retirement for all 'the big fights', it has been announced today.

Ring Magazine's Mike Coppinger broke the news of the return, "Vasiliy Lomachenko is coming out of retirement and is targeting a return in Fall of this year, sources tell Ring Magazine.

"Lomachenko's contract with Top Rank expires today and he's now a promotional free agent.

"He only wants the big fights, I'm told, no tune-ups."

World champions Shakur Stevenson and Devin Haney both reacted with happiness at the news.

The 38-year-old Ukrainian was already famous the world over for turning over with an unrivalled 396-1 amateur record and two Olympic Games and World Championships gold medals.

He also competed in the lightweight division of the World Series of Boxing and won all six fights.

With the world at his feet, he chose Top Rank to manage his professional career and won a WBO International featherweight title in his pro debut via TKO 4.

The southpaw attempted to make history by winning a world title in his second fight to break Saensak Muangsurin's record, who won a junior-welterweight world title in his third pro bout in 1975. He challenged Orlando Salido for his WBO featherweight title, which became vacant after the champion weighed in over 2lbs above the limit, then he rehydrated to 147lbs for the fight, which was littered with low blows and head-butts that the referee failed to call, encouraging the veteran to use dirty tactics. The official, Laurence Cole, was widely criticised for his failures, and Loma was defeated on a split decision.

Just three months later, Loma fought for the same title and won against Gary Russell Jr to equal the record as the fastest world champion in history. Loma was paid $631k for both world title bouts, earning over $1.5million within his first three fights as a pro.

He earned his first $1million fight purse in his eighth outing against Nicholas Walters.

Lomachenko survived a knockdown in round 6 to win via TKO in round 10 after a perfectly placed liver shot to claim the WBA (Super) and The Ring lightweight titles.

In May 2018, he became the fastest fighter ever to win titles in three different weight classes, in his 12th professional contest. shattering the previous record of 20 held by Jeff Fenech.

Lomachenko's inspirations include Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, and Roy Jones Jr.

10 Things You Didn’t Know About Vasyl Lomachenko

Roll of Honour (Amateur)

2004 – Gold at Cadet European Championships (Atomweight)
2006 – Gold at Junior World Championships (Flyweight)
2007 – Silver at World Championships (Featherweight)
2008 – Gold at European Championships (Featherweight)
2008 – Gold at Beijing Olympic Games (Lightweight)
2009 – Gold at World Championships (Featherweight)
2011 – Gold at World Championships (Lightweight)
2012 – Gold at London Olympic Games (Lightweight)

Roll of Honour (Professional)

2013 – WBO International featherweight title
2014 – WBO World featherweight title
2016 – WBO World super-featherweight title
2018 – WBA ‘Super’ World lightweight title
2018 – The Ring magazine lightweight title
2018 – WBO World lightweight title
2019 - WBC lightweight title
2021 - WBO Inter-Continental lightweight title
2024 - IBO lightweight title
2024 - IBF lightweight title