Lomachenko’s uncertain future: back injury and possible tank fight

IBF lightweight champion Vasily Lomachenko is suffering from a back injury and will resume his career if given the green light with tests on the matter.

Lomachenko’s health

Lomachenko (18-3, 12 KOs) turns 37 on Feb. 17 and has only fought once a year since 2022. She’s not young and is campaigning in a division she’s too small for at 135. usually face with larger size.

Gervonta Davis, 30, would like to fight Lomachenko if he continues his career. Six years ago, he wanted nothing to do with Lomachienko, but interest is high now that he’s gotten older and lost a few times.

It would be a nice payday for the Ukrainian talent. Still, it would be risky, and there’s a good chance Lomachenko could be on the receiving end of a controversial decision loss, just like his loss to Devin Haney on May 20, 2023.

Tank would be the A-side, the superstar money fighter, and Lomachenko might have to do something extraordinary to get a decision. That’s the downside for him fighting the Baltimore native.

There is a risk of being robbed or knocked out again if caught by one of Tank’s big shots. If Lomachenko doesn’t agree to fight Baltimore native Gervonta, boxing fans will think he’s a chicken and afraid of a bad loss. It would make him look weak in the eyes of the fans.

Facing criticism

Lomachenko has already been criticized for not agreeing to fight the defensive artist Shakur Stevenson. Stevenson is seen as a poor man’s version of himself without offensive capacity.

If Loma decides to continue his career, it is unlikely that he will drop back down to 130 at Super Featherweight because it would not make financial sense. Aside from Emanuel Navarrete, a downsized lightweight, this weight class has no stars.

Lomachenko looked excellent in his last fight, knocking out former unified lightweight champion George Kambosos Jr. in the 11th round to capture the vacant IBF 135-pound belt on May 12 in Perth, Australia.

The movement, skills and accurate striking are still there, Lomachenko. He performed better than he has in years, but he wasn’t facing a giant lightweight like he was in his Haney matchup, nor was he fighting the huge puncher Gervonta.