IBF lightweight champion Vasily Lomachenko has a back injury and will continue his career if he gets the green light with tests on the issue.
Lomachenko’s health
Lomachenko (18-3, 12 KOs) turns 37 on Feb. 17 and only fights once a year starting in 2022. He’s not young, and he’s campaigning in a division he’s too small for at 135, routinely facing the bigger size.
Gervonta Davis (30) would like to fight Lomachenko if she continues her career. Six years ago, he wanted nothing to do with Lomačienko, but the interest is high now that he has gotten older and lost several times.
That would be a good salary for a Ukrainian talent. It would be risky, though, and there’s a good chance Lomachenko could be on the receiving end of a controversial decision loss, just like his loss to Devin Haynie on May 20, 2023.
Tank would be the A-side, the superstar money fighter, and Lomachenko might have to do something extraordinary to get the decision. That’s his downside against Baltimore.
There is a risk of being mugged or knocked out again if caught by one of Tank’s big shots. If Lomachenko doesn’t agree to fight Baltimore native Gervont, boxing fans will believe he’s a chicken and fear a tough loss. That would make him weak in the eyes of the fans.
Facing Critics
Lomachenko has already been criticized for not agreeing to fight the defender Shakur Stevenson. Stevenson is seen as a the poor man’s version of himself without offensive ability.
If Loma decides to continue his career, it is unlikely that he will return to 130 at Super Featherweight as it would not make sense financially. Apart from Emanuel Navarrete, a seasoned lightweight, that weight category has no stars.
Lomachenko looked superb in his last fight, knocking out former unified lightweight champion George Kambossos Jr. in the 11th round to win the vacant IBF 135lb belt on May 12 in Perth, Australia.
The movement, skill and accurate striking are still there, Lomachenko. He played better than he has in years, but he didn’t face a huge arc like he did in the clash against Hani, nor did he struggle with a huge shot from Gervont.