The itch to return to the ring was too much for Vasiliy Lomachenko to resist.
Lomachenko, the former world titleholder in three different weight classes and Camarillo resident, is planning a return to the ring, with the hopes a fight could take place later this year.
Longtime manager and Thousand Oaks resident Egis Klimas confirmed the news to The Star.
“(Lomachenko) is back and we’re working to bring him back in the fall,” Klimas said last weekend.
The announcement has generated buzz on social media. And there has been speculation as to whom Lomachenko (18-3, 12 knockouts) could face upon his return to the ring.
One name is Gervonta “Tank“ Davis. A proposed fight between the two was on the table in 2024, but did not materialize. There is also an arrest warrant for Davis for a probation violation after an alleged assault against an ex-girlfriend last fall in Miami. The arrest warrant was issued on May 26.
Word is Davis will defend his WBA lightweight title against unbeaten contender Floyd Schofield later this year.
Lance Pugmire of Boxingscene is reporting Lomachenko is targeting unbeaten junior lightweight contender Charly Suarez of the Philippines. Suarez does have a fight lined up on July 11 at the outdoor Civic Center in San Francisco on a card that is free to the public.
According to Pugmire, after speaking with a source close to Lomachenko’s camp, Suarez would be a formidable challenge before facing the top fighters in the 130- and 135-pound divisions. Suarez is also the mandatory challenge to face WBO junior lightweight titleholder Emanuel Navarrete of Mexico. The winner between Lomachenko and Suarez would face Navarrete.
Navarrete and Suarez squared off on May 10, 2025, in San Diego. The fight was stopped in the ninth round after it was originally ruled that an accidental clash of heads opened a cut above Navarrete’s eye.
Video replays showed a punch opened the cut above Navarrete’s eye, which should have resulted in a win by knockout in favor for Suarez. The official result was changed from a technical decision win for Navarrete to a no-contest and the WBO ordered an immediate rematch.
Lomachenko has not fought since a knockout win over George Kambosos Jr. in May 2024. The 38-year-old won the vacant IBF lightweight title.
Several months later, Lomachenko announced his retirement from the sport. Coincidentally, Raymond Muratalla, who is trained by 1993 Channel Islands High School graduate and former IBF junior lightweight champion Robert Garcia, won the interim IBF lightweight title by defeating Zaur Abdullaev on the same May 10 card in San Diego.
Upon hearing of Lomachenko’s retirement, the IBF elevated Muratalla to full world titleholder status.
Lomachenko is currently a promotional free agent. His contract with Top Rank, which promoted him since his pro debut in 2013, expired earlier this month.
The southpaw Lomachenko has also won world title belts at 126 and 130 pounds. He is considered the greatest amateur fighter in the history of the sport, compiling an astounding 396-1 record and winning two Olympic gold medals for Ukraine.
Lomachenko is trained by his father, Anatoly.
Francisco A. Salazar covers boxing for The Star. He has also covered boxing for Ring Magazine, Boxingscene and Fightnews. He can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) at FSalazarBoxing.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: 38-year-old Vasiliy Lomachenko planning a return to the ring