IBF lightweight champion Vasily Lomachenko is dealing with a back injury and will resume his career if tests on the issue are given the green light.
Lomachenko’s health
Lomachenko (18-3, 12 KOs) turns 37 on February 17 and has only fought once a year since 2022. He’s not young, and he’s campaigning in a division he’s undersized for at 135, which regularly struggles with bigger size.
Gervonta Davis, 30, would love to fight Lomachenko if he continues his career. Six years ago he wanted nothing to do with Lomachienko, but interest is high now that he’s gotten older and lost a few times.
It would be a good payday for the Ukrainian talent. Still, that would be risky, and there’s a good chance Lomachenko could be on the receiving end of a controversial decision loss, just like in his loss to Devin Haney on May 20, 2023.
Tank would be the A-side, the superstar money fighter, and Lomachenko might have to do something out of the ordinary to get a decision. That’s the downside for him to fight the Baltimore native.
There is the risk of being robbed or knocked out again if he is caught by one of Tank’s big shots. If Lomachenko doesn’t agree to fight Baltimore native Gervonta, boxing fans will believe he’s a chicken and fear a bad loss. This will make him look weak in the eyes of fans.
Face critics
Lomachenko has already been criticized for not agreeing to fight the defending artist Shakur Stevenson. Stevenson is seen as a poor man’s version of himself without offensive ability.
If Loma chooses to continue his career, he is unlikely to move back down to 130 at Super Featherweight as it would not make financial sense. Apart from Emanuel Navarrete, a boiled down lightweight, that weight class has no stars.
Lomachenko looked excellent in his last fight, defeating former unified lightweight champion George Kambosos Jr. knocked out in the 11th round to capture the vacant IBF 135-lb belt on May 12 in Perth, Australia.
The movement, skills and precise striking are still there, Lomachenko. He’s been better than he’s been in years, but he hasn’t faced a giant lightweight against Haney, nor has he faced big puncher Gervonta.
