Vasiliy Lomachenko is reportedly coming out of retirement and planning a return to the ring later this year, according to Ring Magazine Senior Insider Mike Coppinger via a post on X. Coppinger attributed the news to anonymous sources familiar with the situation, and reported the development on May 12, noting that Lomachenko’s contract with Top Rank officially expired that same day.
The expiration of his promotional agreement makes Lomachenko a promotional free agent for the first time in years. According to the report, the former three-division world champion is targeting a fall return and is only interested in “massive fights.”
Vasily LomachenkoRichard Heathcote-GettyImages
In his social media post on X, Coppinger stated, “[Lomachenko] only wants the big fights, I’m told, no tuneups”.
Lomachenko has not fought since May 2024, when he stopped George Kambosos Jr. in the 11th round to capture the IBF lightweight title (full fight via Top Rank on YouTube):
Following that dominant performance, the Ukrainian star officially announced his retirement in June 2025 after months of speculation about his future. He cited emotional exhaustion and a loss of competitive motivation after failing to become the undisputed lightweight champion, a goal that essentially vanished after his controversial decision loss to Devin Haney in May 2023.
At 38 years old, Lomachenko will return as one of the sport’s most accomplished technicians and, suddenly, one of its most valuable free agents.
Potential Fights
His reported decision to skip tune-up fights signals confidence that he can still compete at the elite level despite a layoff that will stretch well beyond a year. The move also carries significant risk given the speed-and-pressure styles that currently dominate the lightweight division.
The landscape at 135 pounds has shifted dramatically since Lomachenko last competed, as Shakur Stevenson has established himself as one of the division’s central figures.
Shakur Stevenson Ishika Samant/Getty Images
Outside of Stevenson, champions Raymond Muratalla, Abdullah Mason, and Jadier Herrera have all moved into major title positions and are putting on spectacular fights for boxing fans.
Abdullah Mason (R)Richard Pelham/Getty Images
Gervonta “Tank” Davis remains one of boxing’s biggest commercial attractions and a potential opponent whose name was immediately linked to Lomachenko’s return, despite his troubles outside of the ring.
A fight between Lomachenko and Davis was previously discussed before the Ukrainian’s retirement, but negotiations were reportedly derailed by a persistent back injury.
Gervonta ‘Tank” DavisAdam Hunger-GettyImages
With that issue now seemingly resolved, the path to a potential blockbuster could reopen if Davis’s legal issues clear up.
The free-agent status also creates unusual flexibility for Lomachenko, who was bound by a Top Rank contract for his entire professional career up until this point. He can now pursue fights connected to Riyadh Season, where Turki Alalshikh creates high-profile, major cross-promotional events.
Immediate Reactions
Shakur Stevenson wasted no time reacting to the news, reposting the Ring Magazine report with a fire emoji:
Stevenson has publicly pursued a fight with Lomachenko for more than four years, repeatedly calling for the matchup in interviews and on social media. As the fight failed to materialize, Stevenson became more aggressive, accusing Lomachenko of avoiding him.
Devin Haney, who defeated Lomachenko in the aforementioned controversial decision back in 2023, also reacted to the news with positivity:
A fight between these two at this stage in both of their careers may be less possible now that Haney has established himself in the welterweight division and will likely move up to super welterweight.
Devin Haney celebrates after defeating Vasiliy LomachenkoSarah Stier/Getty Images
Lomachenko’s legacy needs little introduction. He built one of the greatest amateur careers in history with a 396-1 record and Olympic gold medals at Beijing 2008 and London 2012.
As a professional, he won a world title in just his third fight and went on to capture championships across three weight classes in the featherweight, super featherweight, and lightweight divisions.
Despite having three blemishes on his professional record, his pro career includes signature wins over Jorge Linares and Guillermo Rigondeaux, along with a stoppage of Kambosos, which stands as his most recent performance.
Now, the Ukrainian legend who holds a rare combination of blistering hand speed, pinpoint punch accuracy, footwork genius, and creative angles, is poised to write a final chapter few saw coming.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on May 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the Boxing section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
