Vasiliy Lomachenko is taken into account the most effective boxers on the planet however he has misplaced his final two world title fights, selections in opposition to Teofimo Lopez in 2020 and Devin Haney final Might.
The Ukrainian star will get one other alternative to get it proper this coming Might 12. And most observers – together with the oddsmakers – imagine that is his greatest probability to have one other main belt wrapped round his waist.
Lomachenko (17-3, 11 KOs) is scheduled to face former champ George Kambosos Jr. (21-2, 10 KOs) for one of many 135-pound titles Haney vacated (the IBF model) on that date in Perth, Australia, Kambosos’ residence nation.
Kambosos made a splash when he upset Lopez to develop into undisputed champion however that was adopted by two one-sided choice losses to Haney in 2022 and a controversial majority choice nod over Maxi Hughes final July.
Lomachenko is a few 5½-1 favourite to beat Kambosos.
“I’m very completely satisfied to return again,” Lomachenko stated throughout a digital information convention Tuesday night. “I’m very completely satisfied to be preventing there. That is the best combat as a result of it’s an opportunity to be a world champion once more.”
Lomachenko’s title-fight losses had been bitter disappointments for him.
He misplaced his undisputed championship and place atop some pound-for-pound lists when he was upset by Lopez, who needed to survive a fierce rally from Lomachenko to have his hand raised.
Lomachenko, who fought with an injured shoulder, insisted he did sufficient to win the combat however he was within the minority.
He then received three fights, over Masayoshi Nakatani, Richard Commey and Jamaine Ortiz, to earn a shot at Haney. Lomachenko gave a robust efficiency however he got here up brief once more.
He did make a press release, nevertheless: He clearly stays a formidable technician, one who seems to be a risk to anybody though he’ll flip 36 subsequent month.
Kambosos understands the problem he faces.
“I by no means step away from a problem,” he stated. “I at all times wish to combat one of the best. And Vasiliy Lomachenko is a man we have now checked out for a really very long time. This man is a legend. The respect we have now for him is large.
“So to have this [fight] official now could be extraordinary. I’m very motivated for this combat. I’m very excited, and I can’t wait.”
In fact, he has cause to be excited. As he put it, “This combat rejuvenates my profession. This provides me my redemption.”
Nonetheless, Lomachenko is the primary concentrate on this present, the once-great fighter – probably nonetheless nice fighter – poised to say the title “world champion” for a fourth time.
