Vasiliy Lomachenko ‘weighing up whether to retire from boxing and sets himself deadline to make a decision’ – as his manager admits he’s carrying a back injury
Vasiliy Lomachenko is weighing up whether to retire from boxing and has set himself a deadline to make a decision, according to reports.
Sky Sports claim Lomachenko, a three-weight world champion, will take until after January 1 to make up his mind, having not stepped into the ring since May.
On that occasion, the veteran Ukrainian stopped George Kambosos to reclaim the IBF lightweight world title before his opponent hailed him as ‘one of the best of all time’.
But it has since emerged that he is carrying a back injury sustained in training and as such, an MRI scan in the new year will help to determine his future.
Lomachenko will undergo the examination in his homeland, his manager Egis Klimas told BoxingScene. He also confirmed the IBF have been informed of the situation.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, who represents Lomachenko, met with the 36-year-old after he beat Kambosos but will not press him to make a decision.
Vasiliy Lomachenko is weighing up whether to retire from boxing, according to reports
Lomachenko hasn’t fought since stopping George Kambosos in Australia in May
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum will not press the three-weight champion into making a decision
‘They told me that he was going back to Ukraine because he had to be with his kids who are in school and there was bombing outside and he didn’t feel he was in the position at that point to talk about a future fight,’ Arum told Sky Sports.
‘But he promised that after the first of the year he would make a decision.
‘So what that decision [will be?] I think it’s true that he didn’t know at that point what decision he would make.’
Arum added: ‘I don’t want to disturb him, I don’t want to rush him. He’s been terrific.
‘I remember just outside the restaurant taking a photograph with him and his father and it was almost like a goodbye photograph. Maybe that was the case.’
Kambosos spoke highly of Lomachenko after losing via an 11th-round TKO in Australia, telling reporters: ‘This guy is one of the best of all time.
‘We tried our best, but he’s a good champion. He deserves that belt.
‘I gave it my all. I’m still alive, I’m still standing. I ain’t dead.’
