Vasyl Lomachenko retires

[Master]

Vasyl Lomachenko announces retirement from boxing: ‘I am grateful for every victory and defeat’

Vasyl Lomachenko has announced his retirement at the age of 37, bringing an end to the career of one of boxing’s modern greats.

Lomachenko retires as a former three-weight world champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist, and he relinquishes the IBF lightweight title by calling time on his in-ring career.

The Ukrainian southpaw last fought in May 2024, stopping George Kambosos Jr on the Australian’s home turf to win that belt and take his professional record to 18-3 (12 knockouts).

His only defeats were close but unanimous decisions against Teofimo Lopez in 2020 and Devin Haney in 2023, and a split decision against Orlando Salido in 2014.

The latter result came in just his second pro bout, with the vacant WBO featherweight title on the line. “Loma” won the belt in his next outing and retained it in his following three bouts, before moving to super-featherweight and winning the WBO strap in that division. Lomachenko retained his super-featherweight title four times before climbing up again and winning the WBO lightweight belt.

After collecting the WBC lightweight title in 2019, Lomachenko suffered his defeat by Lopez in an IBF unification bout, before winning three fights in a row prior to his controversial loss to Haney.

Lomachenko bounced back again by stopping Kambosos Jr in his final fight, adding to notable wins over Jorge Linares, Luke Campbell, Anthony Crolla, Jose Pedraza and Jamaine Ortiz.

Prior to turning pro, Lomachenko won featherweight gold at the 2008 Olympics and lightweight gold at the 2012 Games. He also won World Championship gold in 2009 and 2011, and European gold in 2008.

“First and foremost, I want to thank our Lord, Jesus Christ, for everything he has done for me, for guiding a prideful young man down a path that routinely showed me that fame, legacy and recognition are not the true purpose of life,” Lomachenko said in a social-media video on Thursday (5 June).

“I am grateful for every victory and every defeat, both in the ring and in life. I am thankful that, as my career comes to an end, I have gained clarity about the direction a person must take in order to achieve true victory – not just in the ring but in overcoming their old self. Only then can one receive their true reward.

“I thank God for my wonderful, honest and kind parents – for their care, their love and their warmth, [which] I felt throughout my life. My father [and trainer Anatoly Lomachenko] not only taught me the art of boxing but also how to be a role model for my own children, the same way he has always been for me.

“I have made many mistakes in life and in the gym, but he was always by my side correcting me when needed, praising me. I have many warm memories. I love you deeply, dad. I bow before you and dedicate the most helpful words in the world to you. You are my No 1.

“To my family: you have always stood by me. You shared in my victories with joy and felt the pain of my losses, but those moments only made us stronger.

“Dear Egis [Klimas], thank you for everything you have done for me and my family. You are a man who knows his craft, the best manager in the world who became a friend and part of our family.

“Your professionalism goes hand in hand with your character: honesty, integrity, kindness and the ability to find the solution in any situation. You are a rare manager who handled every challenge 100 per cent. I wish you the best of health so that, through you, new boxing stars can rise.

“I want to thank [promotional company] Top Rank and Mr Bob Arum for the amazing opportunity to showcase my abilities in boxing. I am grateful to the United States of America for giving me the chance to realise my potential.

“And of course, I would also be remiss not to thank you, my dear boxing fans around the world. You have always supported me with passion and lived through unforgettable fights alongside me for over a decade. I hope you continue to love and respect this sport, because the men who step in the ring risk their health for the sake of their families. Peace to all, may the Lord bless his people.”

https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/boxi...d=BingNewsSerp

[Master]

Loma was the quickest 3 weight world champion, and his 18-3 record does not reflect how good he really was.

Forget unbeaten records, loads of wins and undisputed champions this guy was modern day genius and truly great artist.

His best years were in the amateurs with a boxing career 397 wins with 1 loss avenged many times over.

Size and age only beat him.

Salido was overweight coming into the fight. Nicholas Walters was unbeaten good fighter and quit. Rigo could not handle Loma and retired too.

Teo and Haney were weight bullies as Loma went up for the challenges. They were close contests. His body was falling apart and had surgery on his shoulder. The war in Ukraine also diverted his attention.

Glad he went out on a win and as champion.

[TIC]

Loma was the quickest 3 weight world champion

tied with kosei tanaka who also just retired

[Spicoli]

Felt like a long time coming honestly. Sensational fighter. Still don't agree with the way they rolled him with instant pass to a title shot regardless of W or L . But still think he deserved call vs Haney. Teo beat him clean after so many, self-included, said he too green. Brilliant run early on and real shame a Tank fight never came off. Loma was a professional dynamo.

[TitoFan]

Love him or hate him, I always saw him as a classy guy. Kudos to him for stepping away at the right time. Although you'd never know it by the old fogie heavyweights trying to make comebacks... 37 is a bit ancient in boxing.