Vasiliy Lomachenko, one of the top pound for pound boxers in the world right and the former unified lightweight, WBO featherweight and WBO junior lightweight champion, had traded his gloves with firearms as he joined the Ukrainian defense battalion against the Russian military. However, the boxer has not shifted his mind away from the ring, as Lomachenko is looking for a safe passage out of the country to have his fight against George Kambosos Jr this June.
Lomachennko, the former world champion in three divisions, emerged as the favourite to take on the undisputed lightweight champion George Kambosos Jr in the latter’s first title defense as the reigning WBA (Super), IBF, WBC “franchise” and WBO titleholder, with a targeted fight date in June.
Vasiliy Lomachenko has reportedly agreed to the Kambosos fight deal and is seeking passage outside Ukraine
However in late February, in the wake of Russia’s invasion into Ukraine and the ongoing war that followed, Lomachenko flew to his homeland and joined the Belgorod-Dnestrovsky Territorial Defense Battalion in the resistance against Russia, joining his fellow Ukrainian boxing icons Oleksandr Usyk, Wladimir Klitschko and Vitali Klitschko.
In the wake of Loma joining the Ukrainian battalion, the progress towards the Kambosos fight became uncertain as there had been no rigid confirmation as to when the boxer would be able to depart the country for the undisputed title fight, as all able-bodied Ukrainian men from 18-60 are prohibited from leaving.
However, in a recent report made by Mike Coppinger of ESPN, Lomachenko, currently on duty as security detail on the border, is looking to escape Ukraine to fight Kambosos and has even nodded to the fight deal which is targeted for 5th June in Australia. However, in case there’s no legitimate progress of Loma being able to leave Ukraine, talks will instead progress towards getting WBC champion Devin Haney as the one to face Kambosos.
“Efforts being made to allow Loma to leave for training camp so undisputed title fight can proceed on June 5 in Australia,” said Coppinger. “Under martial law in Ukraine, able-bodied men between the ages of 18 and 60 are prohibited from leaving the country to aid in defense against Russia.”
“Officials involved require that a Kambosos opponent be locked in by the end of March to allow for the typical eight-week promotional push, sources said. If there’s no clarity regarding Lomachenko’s ability to leave Ukraine by next week, talks will intensify with Devin Haney,” Coppinger added.
Highlights:
- Vasiliy Lomachenko, who joined the Ukrainian defense battalion against Russia last month, is looking to leave the country to fight undisputed lightweight champion Geroge Kambosos in June
