Vasiliy Lomachenko, the illustrious former two-time Olympic gold medalist, has articulated his primary objective in the boxing ring: to reclaim a world championship title. Throughout his career, Lomachenko has not only aspired to be a world titlist—a common goal among fighters—but has also envisioned unifying the division to stand as the undisputed champion.
Despite achieving considerable success, with titles in three weight classes, Lomachenko feels his journey is incomplete without unifying the titles. The concept of multiple champions within a single division does not sit well with him; for Lomachenko, the ultimate accomplishment is to hold all four major belts simultaneously, thereby eliminating any ambiguity about who is the true champion.
However, Lomachenko has faced setbacks in his quest for undisputed status, with defeats against Teofimo Lopez and Devin Haney marking missed opportunities. Now, at the age of 35, Lomachenko recognizes the dwindling chances of achieving his undisputed dream but remains undeterred. He is poised for a comeback with a scheduled fight against George Kambosos Jr. on May 12th for the vacant IBF title. This bout represents not just a chance to become a world champion once again but also a step towards his greater ambition of undisputed glory.
Lomachenko’s strategy is one of focus and discipline, understanding the importance of not getting ahead of himself. He remains concentrated on the immediate challenge posed by Kambosos, confident in his ability to secure victory. With a win, Lomachenko intends to pivot his attention back to the pursuit of becoming the undisputed champion, a goal he believes is well within his reach.
“Right now, my goal is to be world champion again,” Lomachenko stated. “After, I can start thinking about undisputed again.” This phased approach underscores Lomachenko’s determination and strategic planning as he navigates the complexities of professional boxing, aiming to etch his name in the annals of the sport’s history.
Image Credit: DAZN