Vasiliy Lomachenko is coming back. The 38-year-old former world champion, who retired from boxing several months ago, is planning a return to the ring later this year.
Longtime manager Egis Klimas confirmed the news. "Lomachenko is back and we're working to bring him back in the fall," Klimas told The Star last weekend.
Lomachenko holds a professional record of 18-3 with 12 knockouts. He last fought in May 2024, when he knocked out George Kambosos Jr. to claim the vacant IBF lightweight title. He announced his retirement shortly after that win. Following the announcement, the IBF elevated interim titleholder Raymond Muratalla to full world champion status.
According to Yahoo Sports, one potential opponent is Charly Suarez of the Philippines, an unbeaten junior lightweight contender. Lance Pugmire of Boxingscene reported that Lomachenko is targeting Suarez, citing a source close to Lomachenko's camp. Suarez already has a fight scheduled for July 11 at the outdoor Civic Center in San Francisco on a card free to the public. A bout between Lomachenko and Suarez would carry additional stakes, as the winner would be positioned to face WBO junior lightweight titleholder Emanuel Navarrete of Mexico.
Navarrete and Suarez previously met on May 10, 2025, in San Diego. The fight was stopped in the ninth round after officials initially ruled that an accidental clash of heads caused a cut above Navarrete's eye. Video replay later showed a punch opened the cut, which should have resulted in a knockout win for Suarez. The official result was changed from a technical decision win for Navarrete to a no-contest, and the WBO ordered an immediate rematch.
Another name connected to Lomachenko's return is Gervonta Davis, known as Tank. A proposed fight between the two surfaced in 2024 but never came together. Davis currently faces legal complications, including an arrest warrant issued May 26 for a probation violation tied to an alleged assault against an ex-girlfriend last fall in Miami. Davis is also expected to defend his WBA lightweight title against unbeaten contender Floyd Schofield later this year.
Lomachenko has won world titles at 126, 130, and 135 pounds. His contract with Top Rank, which promoted him since his professional debut in 2013, expired earlier this month, leaving him a free agent as he plans his next move.
