IBF lightweight champion Vasiliy Lomachenko is facing a back injury and will resume his career if he is given the go-ahead with tests on the issue.
Lomachenko’s health
Lomachenko (18-3, 12 KO) turns 37 on February 17 and has fought just once a year since 2022. He’s not young, has been campaigning in a division that’s too small for him at 135, and routinely faces more size.
Gervonta Davis (30 years old) wants 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 older and lost multiple times.
It would be a good payday for Ukrainian talent. However, it will be risky, and chances are Lomachenko will be on the receiving end of a controversial decision loss, just like he did in his loss to Devin Haney on May 20, 2023.
Tank will be the top side, the star fighter for the money, and Lomachenko may need to do something unusual to get a decision. That’s the downside for him fighting the Baltimore native.
There is a risk of being robbed again or fired if caught by one of Tank’s big shots. If Lomachenko doesn’t agree to fight Gervonta, a Baltimore native, boxing fans will think he’s a chicken and fear a huge loss. It will make him look weak in the eyes of the fans.
Confronting critics
Lomachenko has already been criticized for not agreeing to fight the martial artist Shakur Stevenson. Stevenson is viewed as a Poor man’s version From himself without offensive ability.
If Loma chooses to continue his career, it is unlikely he would return to the 130 super featherweight division as it would not make financial sense. Aside from Emanuel Navarrete, a lightweight, this weight class has no stars.
Lomachenko looked excellent in his last fight, knocking out former unified lightweight champion George Kambosos Jr. in the 11th round to capture the vacant IBF 135-pound belt on May 12 in Perth, Australia.
The movement, skills and precise punches are still there, Lomachenko. He was doing better than he had in years, but he wasn’t facing a giant heavyweight like he had against Haney, and he wasn’t fighting a massive puncher, Gervonta.
