Earlier this year, Vasiliy Lomachenko announced that he will be ending his retirement and returning to the sport. Now, further clarity on his comeback has been provided, with the Ukrainian fan-favourite having set his sights on one man.
‘Loma’ made it clear that his goal was to become an undisputed four-belt world champion during his career; an achievement that many believe he would have achieved if he stayed at super-featherweight but could also have been accomplished at lightweight – when he lost a controversial decision to Devin Haney.
Next month, unified WBO and IBF super-featherweight world champion, Emanuel Navarrete, collides with reigning WBC titleholder, O’Shaquie Foster, in an intriguing three-belt unification clash, with the remaining WBA title belonging to Belfast’s Anthony Cacace.
Speaking with Brian Custer, Lomachenko’s manager, Egis Klimas, confirmed that his fighter is targeting a shot at Cacace’s belt next, planning to then face the victor of Navarrete-Foster and become the first undisputed super-featherweight world champion since 1969.
“Spoke to Egis Klimas and he told me Loma is only coming back to fulfil his dream of becoming undisputed! But at his natural weight of 130.
Wants the winner of Navarrete/Foster winner but eyeing Cacace right now. Says time off has done his body well and will be even better when he comes back.”
Although Cacace is the reigning WBA champion at 130lbs, the Ulsterman is currently scheduled to take on Liverpool’s Nick Ball on December 19.
The winner of Cacace-Ball will then be made to take on Elnur Samedov, meaning Lomachenko may have to wait until mid-2027 for any world title challenge, unless he first fights Samedov or the Russian agrees to a ‘step-aside’ deal.
