Lomachenko opens up about ending his boxing career
Vasyl Lomachenko (photo: facebook.com/VasylLomachenko)
Former three-division world champion Ukrainian Vasyl Lomachenko (18-3, 12 KOs) explained his decision to retire from professional boxing on the WBC Instagram account.
Loss of the main goal: why the boxer decided to stop
The 37-year-old boxer officially announced his retirement in June of this year.
His main motivation was always to win the title of undisputed world champion. Unfulfilled ambitions following his fight with Devin Haney became the decisive factor.
"I wanted to be finished with boxing. My goal was to be an undisputed world champion, and I understand after Haney, I don't have a chance anymore," Lomachenko explained.
"I lost motivation. I can't be an undisputed world champion; inside me, I finished with boxing," he added.
One final fight for his father
Despite his personal decision to step away, Lomachenko returned for his final fight in May 2024, where he knocked out George Kambosos and won the IBF lightweight title. The athlete openly shared the reason that brought him back to the ring.
"My father wanted me to do it again. And he called me and said, 'Hey, we have to do it one more time. You can do it.' For me, this man gave me my life in boxing. He gave me all that I have. So out of respect, I went to the ring one more time. It was my love and respect for him," the former champion emphasized.
Lomachenko also noted that even before this fight, he was aware it would be his last professional appearance.
Recently, the media have actively discussed a possible comeback for a fight against 46-year-old Filipino legend Manny Pacquiao.
However, Lomachenko's manager, Egis Klimas, quickly denied these rumors.
The boxer has repeatedly been involved in controversial situations. He met with a metropolitan of the UOC-MP and expressed dissatisfaction with Epiphaniy, the metropolitan of the OCU.
