Vasiliy Lomachenko is popping out of retirement and concentrating on a return to the ring this fall, in line with a report from Ring Journal printed Could 12. The previous three-division world champion, who introduced his retirement on June 5, 2025, is now a promotional free agent after his long-standing contract with High Rank expired on Could 12, 2026.
The report, which cited unnamed sources, stated Lomachenko is solely in marquee matchups and doesn’t plan to take a tune-up bout earlier than returning. Lomachenko, 38, has not fought since stopping George Kambosos Jr. within the eleventh spherical on Could 12, 2024, in Perth, Australia, to win the IBF light-weight title. He has not publicly confirmed the comeback himself, and no opponent, date, or venue has been introduced.
The High Rank Period Ends
Lomachenko spent his total skilled profession beneath High Rank, starting along with his 2013 debut. In a press release issued on the time of his retirement, High Rank chairman Bob Arum stated it had been an honor to advertise Lomachenko’s profession. The Ukrainian completed his Eleven-plus-year run beneath the High Rank banner with a report of 18-3, 12 knockouts, having received world titles at featherweight, tremendous featherweight, and light-weight.
The expiration of that contract modifications Lomachenko’s choices considerably. As a free agent, he’s now not restricted by promotional alignment and might negotiate instantly with any platform, together with occasions tied to Riyadh Season and Saudi-backed promoter Turki Alalshikh, which weren’t out there to him beneath the earlier deal.
Why He Stepped Away
Lomachenko’s retirement adopted months of hypothesis and was tied partially to a again damage that had disrupted coaching. Veteran boxing reporter Dan Rafael reported in June 2025 that Lomachenko had been sidelined with the damage and had been considering retirement for months earlier than making it official in a pair of social media movies, one in Ukrainian and one in English.
The damage had additionally derailed a closely anticipated unification battle with WBA light-weight titleholder Gervonta Davis that had been focused for November 2024. In his retirement video, Lomachenko stated he was grateful for each his victories and defeats and had gained readability about his path outdoors of boxing.
Based on the Ring Journal report, Lomachenko’s again situation has improved throughout his time away from the game.
Reactions From Potential Opponents
Two of the light-weight division’s largest names responded publicly inside hours of the report. WBC light-weight champion Shakur Stevenson, who has known as for a Lomachenko battle repeatedly over the previous 4 years, reposted the Ring Journal merchandise on X with a hearth emoji. Devin Haney, who defeated Lomachenko by controversial unanimous choice in Could 2023, additionally reacted positively to the information on social media.
The Davis matchup, lengthy probably the most mentioned potential opponent for Lomachenko earlier than his retirement, stays a chance, although Davis is at present coping with authorized points outdoors the ring that might complicate negotiations. Haney has since moved as much as welterweight and has spoken a couple of future transfer to tremendous welterweight, which might make a rematch with Lomachenko tougher to rearrange at light-weight.
A Modified Division
The light-weight panorama has shifted throughout Lomachenko’s two-year absence. Stevenson has established himself because the central determine at 135 kilos, and titleholders and contenders resembling Raymond Muratalla, Abdullah Mason, William Zepeda, and Jadier Herrera have all moved into outstanding positions within the division.
Lomachenko’s novice report of 396-1, two Olympic gold medals, and three-division skilled title résumé make him some of the completed fighters of his era, however a fall return would put him within the ring at 38 years outdated after a layoff approaching two and a half years. The report indicated he plans to battle solely a small variety of instances earlier than retiring for good.
No additional particulars have been confirmed.
