ARTICLE AD BOX
Modern-day boxing legend Vasily Lomachenko has officially announced his retirement from professional boxing at the age of 37.
The Ukrainian star, who has become a world champion in three different weight classes in just 12 professional fights, has not entered the ring since May of last year, when he won the IBF lightweight belt with a victory over George Kambosos Jr.
Negotiations to unify the titles against Gervonta Davis began after that, but Lomachenko decided to break off the talks and take an extended break from the sport. During that period, he made the final decision to end his career, which consists of 21 fights, with a record of 18 wins (12 KOs) and 3 losses (0 KOs).
Message
He addressed his followers on Instagram today (Thursday, June 5):
- First of all, I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for leading a proud young man on a path that has shown me time and again that fame, legacy, and recognition are not the true meaning of life.
- I am grateful for every defeat and victory, both in the ring and in life. I am happy that at the end of my career I realized the right direction that a person must follow in order to achieve true victory, not only in the ring, but in full. Only then does the real reward come.
- I thank God for my honest and good parents who guided me through life with love and warmth. My father (Anatoly Lomachenko) not only taught me boxing, but also how to be a role model for his children, as he was for me. I make a lot of mistakes, both in life and in the gym, but he has always been there for me.
- Dear Egis Klimas, thank you for everything you have done for me and my family. You are the best manager in the world and a true friend who has become part of our family.
- Thank you to Top Rank and Mr. Bob Arum for allowing me to showcase my skills in front of the whole world.
- I should not forget to thank all the dear boxing fans around the world. You have always supported me with such passion for over ten years. I hope you will continue to respect and love this sport.
- Peace to all, may the Lord bless his people.
Watch the video of Lomachenko's address to the fans at LINK.
Before his professional career, Lomachenko was one of the most successful amateurs in history, with 396 wins and only one loss, and two Olympic gold medals (Beijing 2008 and London 2012).
In professional waters, he won the featherweight, super featherweight and lightweight titles, and in his second professional fight he tried to take the world title against Orlando Salido. Although he lost narrowly, he immediately came back and defeated Gary Russell Jr. in the next fight, winning the WBO featherweight belt.
English (US) ·