Vasyl Lomachenko has achieved one of his memorable feats in his professional career as he became a world champion again after almost four years since losing his lightweight titles to Teofimo Lopez in 2020. Lomachenko defeated George Kambosos Jr in his home country of Australia by stoppage in the 11th round of their 12-round bout to become the IBF lightweight champion. The fight card, promoted by Top Rank, was held at the RAC Arena in Perth, Western Australia on Sunday, March 12th.
Almost ten years had passed since Vasyl Lomachenko (18-3, 12 KO’s) won his first title [WBO featherweight] against Gary (Allen) Russell Jr in 2014, but the Ukrainian has continued to establish himself as one of the most decorated boxers of the past two decades after he netted another world title to his already-extensive resume of accomplishments.
While Lomachenko had been a world champion in the 135 lbs division before, a loss to Teofimo Lopez (20-1, 13 KO’s) curtailed his blossoming career and forced him back on the track of contending after more than half a decade of being a world champion. More than three years later, Lomachenko finally achieved the noteworthy feat of being a champion again after defeating George Kambosos Jr on May 12th by technical knockout (TKO).
Prior to Kambosos being stopped, the fight had already seemed to be heading leisurely into Lomachenko’s favor whose fleet-footedness, tactical abilities, technical skills and quick hand speed helped him dominate most of the rounds, and suggests he still has some years left in professional boxing, despite his 36 years of age usually signifying he would be on the downslide.
Despite Lomachenko losing controversially to Devin Haney (31-1, 15 KO’s) last year, the Ukrainian has not appeared to be too ruffled by the result as he stepped into the match with Kambosos well-equipped; overmatching the Australian quickly in just a couple of rounds.
Kambosos looked uncomfortable and unmatched throughout the bout, forced to fight mostly on the backfoot where he appeared to have no answers for Lomachenko’s ability to close off the space quickly. While Lomachenko is often considered a slow starter, the Ukrainian’s pressure started early and paid off later, with Kambosos’ defensive shortcomings leaving him unable to muster up much resistance; and his offense itself was lacking despite Lomachenko coming in as the smaller man.
The rounds passed quickly with Vasyl Lomachenko not giving an inch even when he backed off from pressuring Kambosos, and the 11th round saw the Ukrainian move up on the scorecards more significantly than he had already been after he knocked Kambosos down with a body shot later in the round. After another body shot that felled Kambosos, the Australian’s corner threw in the towel, forcing the match to be stopped and Lomachenko to be ruled the winner by TKO afterwards.
The rest of the Top Rank undercard saw several other interesting matches occur. In the super flyweight division, Australian former world champion Andrew Moloney (26-4, 16 KO’s) suffered a heartbreaking defeat to Mexican contender Pedro Guevara (42-4-1, 22 KO’s) as he lost by split-decision, narrowly preventing him from winning the vacant WBC interim 115 lbs title that ended up in the hands of Guevara.
In the women’s bantamweight division, a competitive bout between British WBA champion Nina Hughes (6-1, 2 KO’s) and New-Zealand born Australian Cherneka Johnson (16-1, 6 KO’s) saw severe confusion occur following their 10-round title bout as the ring announcer declared Hughes to be the winner by majority decision (MD); only to turn around seconds later and announce Johnson to have won by MD instead.
Either way, the fight was close enough for either fighter to walk away with a victory, though Hughes looked to have been the most damaged fighter judging by her appearance after all the 10 rounds. More significantly, however, is Johnson’s capture of a world title after handily losing her last match, and [IBF super bantamweight] title, to Ellie Scotney (9-0, 0 KO’s) last year in June.
While Johnson did deservedly win Hughes’ title, there are question marks as to how she was put into that position that quickly; though this can also be explained by the lack of competition within the women’s 118 lbs division.
Vasyl Lomachenko can now celebrate being the IBF lightweight champion; winning a title that had been vacant for months since Haney relinquished all his 135 lbs titles last year. His victory has now put him squarely back in the position to get back in the top 10 pound-for-pound rankings depending on his next couple of fights.
Despite his recent victory, plenty challenges still lie ahead for Lomachenko with WBA champion Gervonta Davis (29-0, 27 KO’s) and WBC champion Shakur Stevenson (21-0, 10 KO’s) providing interesting title bouts for Vasyl Lomachenko if he is interested in unifying. Though the WBO lightweight title is still vacant, Mexican champion Emanuel Navarrete (38-1-1, 31 KO’s) and Lomachenko’s countryman Denys Berinchyk (18-0, 9 KO’s) will vie over the vacant belt this weekend on May 18th; giving Lomachenko at least three different options to consider.
Otherwise, a match with #1 IBF-ranked lightweight William Zepeda (30-0, 26 KO’s) will be of great interest to witness. Zepeda is currently signed to Golden Boy Promotions, headed by Oscar De La Hoya who used to fight for Top Rank during arguably the most significant portions of his career. Potentially Top Rank’s head Bob Arum might be ameniable towards entertaining putting Vasyl Lomachenko in the ring with Zepeda, though Navarette―a Top Rank fighter like Lomachenko―is an easier option if the Mexican makes it past Berinchyk this upcoming weekend.
Though Shakur Stevenson is currently also signed to top rank and currently holds the WBC lightweight title, not much chance appears to be in for Lomachenko to face him with the American champion having recently declared to be exploring free agency following his upcoming fight on July 6th.
