Vasiliy Lomachenko, one of the most brilliant and technically gifted boxers of his generation, officially announced his retirement from professional boxing on Thursday, June 5, 2025. The 37-year-old Ukrainian fighter closed the curtain on an extraordinary career that spanned over 11 years in the paid ranks, following a remarkable amateur tenure that set the stage for his dominance in the ring.
Lomachenko’s legacy is nothing short of legendary. Before turning professional in 2013, he amassed an astonishing amateur record of 396 wins against a single loss. His dominance was punctuated by back-to-back Olympic gold medals for Ukraine at the 2008 Beijing Games in the featherweight division and the 2012 London Games in the lightweight division. He also claimed gold at the 2009 and 2011 World Championships, confirming his status as one of the greatest amateur boxers in history.
His lone amateur defeat came at the hands of Russia’s Albert Selimov at the 2007 World Championships in Chicago, a setback he would avenge twice in subsequent matches. This resilience foreshadowed the tenacity and skill that would define his professional career.
Upon turning professional, Lomachenko quickly made his mark by challenging for a world title in only his second pro fight, a rare feat in modern boxing. Although he lost a controversial split decision to Orlando Salido in 2014—despite Salido missing weight and delivering repeated low blows—Lomachenko bounced back swiftly. Just three months later, he outpointed unbeaten Gary Russell Jr. to capture the vacant WBO featherweight title, equaling the record for winning a world championship in the fewest professional bouts, set by Thailand’s Saensak Muangsurin.
“I want to thank Top Rank and Mr. Bob Arum for the amazing opportunity to showcase my abilities in boxing,” Lomachenko said in his retirement announcement video. “I’m grateful for the United States of America for giving me the chance to realize my potential. Of course, I would be remiss not to thank you, my dear boxing fans from around the world. You have always supported me and led me through unforgettable fights.”
His professional record stands at 18 wins and 3 defeats, including 12 knockouts. Over his career, Lomachenko won world titles in three weight classes: featherweight (126 pounds), super-featherweight (130 pounds), and lightweight (135 pounds). He became a three-weight world champion in just 12 fights, a record he shares with recently retired Kosei Tanaka.
In 2016, Lomachenko knocked out Roman "Rocky" Martinez in his seventh professional fight to claim the WBO junior lightweight title, marking his first world title in his second weight class. This victory propelled him into superstardom, especially during a four-fight run at 130 pounds where he earned the nickname "No-mas-chenko" after forcing four consecutive opponents to quit on their stools, overwhelmed by his relentless pressure and skill.
Despite his dominance, Lomachenko faced challenges in securing high-profile fights at featherweight and super-featherweight, which prompted a move up to lightweight in 2018. There, he captured the WBA lightweight title by stopping Jorge Linares, despite conceding size to his opponent. At lightweight, Lomachenko went on to unify three of the four major world titles and spent the last 10 fights of his career competing at this weight.
His final professional bout took place on May 12, 2024, when he stopped Australian George Kambosos Jr. in the 11th round to claim the vacant IBF lightweight title. This victory marked a triumphant end to his illustrious career, allowing him to retire while still holding a world championship belt.
“I am grateful for every victory and every defeat, both in the ring and in life,” Lomachenko said in his retirement video. “I’m thankful that, as my career comes to an end, I have genuine clarity about the direction a person must take in order to achieve a victory in overcoming their old self. Only then, can someone achieve their true award.”
He also paid tribute to his family and especially his father and longtime trainer, Anatoly Lomachenko, affectionately known as "Papachenko." “My father taught me not only boxing, but how to be a role model for my own children,” Lomachenko said. “I have made many mistakes in life and in the gym, but he was always by my side, correcting me when needed, and praising me when I earned it.”
Lomachenko’s career was not without its controversies. His two professional defeats came in high-stakes title fights against elite, undefeated opponents. In 2020, he lost a close unanimous decision to Teofimo Lopez Jr. in their undisputed lightweight title clash. In 2023, he suffered an even closer and widely disputed decision loss to Devin Haney in a bid to regain the undisputed lightweight crown, a fight many observers believed Lomachenko had won.
George Kambosos Jr., Lomachenko’s last opponent, expressed admiration for the retiring champion. “It was an absolute honor to fight that man,” Kambosos told CBS Sports. “I have been in there with some really big names, but this is Lomachenko, this is a [future] Hall of Famer and a guy that I admired as a young kid coming up the amateurs.”
In addition to his exploits inside the ring, Lomachenko’s character and patriotism stood out. In 2022, he put his boxing career on hold to return to Ukraine and join a territorial defense battalion amid the Russian invasion, demonstrating his commitment to his homeland beyond sport.
Legendary promoter Bob Arum, chairman of Top Rank, which promoted Lomachenko throughout his professional journey, released a statement honoring the fighter. “It’s been an honor for all of us at Top Rank to promote the pro boxing career of Vasiliy Lomachenko. He was a generational champion, and we will all miss his participation in the sport,” Arum said.
Known by nicknames such as "The Matrix" and "Hi-Tech," Lomachenko was celebrated for his extraordinary footwork, speed, and combination punching, which bewildered opponents and thrilled boxing fans worldwide. His high ring IQ and commitment to defense, combined with offensive flair, made him one of the most technically gifted fighters of the modern era.
As the boxing world reflects on the career of Vasiliy Lomachenko, his impact on the sport is undeniable. From his record-setting amateur achievements to his rapid ascent in the professional ranks, and his unyielding spirit inside and outside the ring, "Loma" leaves behind a legacy that will inspire generations of fighters to come.
With the IBF lightweight title he last held set to be officially vacated in the coming weeks, interim champion Raymond Muratalla is likely to be upgraded to full champion status, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the division Lomachenko once dominated.
Though the gloves are now hung up, Vasiliy Lomachenko’s story is far from over. His journey from a prodigious amateur to a three-weight world champion, his sacrifices for his country, and his commitment to excellence have cemented his place among boxing’s all-time greats.
