Former pound-for-pound star Vasiliy Lomachenko plans to make his comeback in early 2027. “The Matrix” will be supported in his return by the U.S. promotion Top Rank.
Vasiliy Lomachenko, a world champion in three weight classes and a two-time Olympic gold medalist, is one of the most spectacular boxers of his generation. Now the 38-year-old Ukrainian is coming out of retirement. To that end, Lomachenko has signed a multi-year co-promotion deal with Top Rank through his newly founded company, “Loma Power Promotions.” The U.S. promotion company had supported him throughout his entire professional career, which began in 2013.
The gifted technical boxer, who announced his retirement in June 2025, is making his comeback in the super featherweight division. There, “The Matrix” is aiming for the biggest fights in that weight class. The 130-pound division is currently dominated by three-time U.S. champion O’Shaquie Foster (WBC, WBO, IBF).
“I thought I’d never step into the ring again.”
“Vasiliy is one of the most talented boxers I’ve ever promoted,” said Top Rank boss Bob Arum. “I’m very excited that he’s returning to the ring. He’s already achieved so much. But he’s determined to become the undisputed champion.” Despite a meteoric rise in his professional career—Lomachenko became WBO world champion in just his third fight—he has yet to achieve the status of undisputed champion.
“God’s ways are mysterious. I thought I’d never step back into the ring as a boxer,” Lomachenko said of his return. “But our Lord Jesus Christ had other plans for me. I’m happy to be able to live this life as a boxer again. I’m grateful to everyone who is once again part of this journey.”
“Loma” is once again being managed by his longtime manager Egis Klimas, who also pulls the strings for Oleksandr Usyk. Klimas never stopped believing in him, says Lomachenko: “He’s put in an incredible amount of work and effort to get us back in the game.” Klimas reaffirmed the “Matrix” fighter’s ambitious goals: “He still has a score to settle and a dream that means so much to him: to become the undisputed champion.”
The No. 1 “Pound-for-Pound” Fighter
Lomachenko (18-3, 12 KOs) set a boxing record when he became world champion in 2014 after just three professional fights—previously, only Thailand’s Saensak Muangsurin had achieved this feat in 1975. By his 12th fight, Lomachenko had won titles in the featherweight, super featherweight, and lightweight divisions. He secured the lightweight title in May 2018 with a first-round knockout victory over the linear champion Jorge Linares.
His rise through the weight classes made the exceptional Ukrainian boxer one of the best fighters on the planet. The U.S. boxing bible “The Ring” ranked Lomachenko number one on its pound-for-pound list at one point. Before turning pro, he compiled an amateur record of 396 wins and 1 loss. In addition to his Olympic successes, Lomachenko won gold medals at two world championships.
After an unsuccessful attempt to claim the undisputed lightweight title against Devin Haney (May 2023), “The Matrix” defeated George Kambosos Jr. by knockout in May 2024 and won the IBF title. The following year, Lomachenko decided to retire as champion . Now he plans to pick up where he left off in early 2027.
Text: Frank Schwantes