Lomachenko Signs New Top Rank Deal, Targets Undisputed at Super-Featherweight

Vasiliy Lomachenko has ended his retirement and entered a multi-year co-promotional agreement with Top Rank through his newly formed Loma Power Promotions, with the former three-division champion targeting undisputed status at super-featherweight.

Top Rank confirmed that Lomachenko will return in early 2027. Charly Suarez is expected to be his opponent, with BoxingScene reporting on Tuesday (November 3) that an agreement was close for February 13. Las Vegas is being pursued as the location, although the fight and venue have yet to be formally announced.

“God works in mysterious ways. I thought I would never step back into the ring again as a boxer. But our Lord Jesus Christ had other plans for me,” Lomachenko said. “I’m happy to be living this boxing life once again. I’m grateful to everyone who is once again part of this journey.”

Lomachenko retired in June 2025 and relinquished the IBF lightweight title he had won by stopping George Kambosos Jr in the 11th round in May 2024.

The 38-year-old’s time away followed a reported back injury suffered in training. The IBF granted him a further medical extension in January 2025 and ordered Zaur Abdullaev and Raymond Muratalla to contest an interim lightweight title, but Lomachenko retired five months later without defending his belt.

He credited manager Egis Klimas with continuing to work towards a return despite his insistence that his career was over.

“Special respect and gratitude to Egis, who, despite my firm belief that my boxing career was over, never stopped believing that we would step into the ring again,” Lomachenko said. “He put in a tremendous amount of work and effort to get us back in the race.”

Foster emerges as the main target

A return to 130lbs gives Lomachenko another opportunity to pursue the undisputed championship that eluded him at lightweight.

He previously held the WBO super-featherweight title, winning it by stopping Roman Martinez in 2016, before moving up and recording victories over Jorge Linares, Jose Pedraza and Luke Campbell. His lightweight unification fights against Teofimo Lopez in 2020 and Devin Haney in 2023 both ended in decision defeats.

“He still has unfinished business and a dream that means so much to him: becoming the undisputed champion,” Klimas said. “I’ve never stopped believing in him, and I’m proud to stand beside him as he gives to that dream everything he has.”

The super-featherweight landscape has changed significantly during discussions over Lomachenko’s comeback.

O’Shaquie Foster defeated Emanuel Navarrete by unanimous decision in San Antonio on October 24, retaining his WBC title and adding the IBF and WBO belts, alongside The Ring championship. Foster dropped Navarrete twice in the final round to complete the three-belt unification victory.

Bob Arum has outlined a potential meeting between Lomachenko and Foster around the middle of 2027, provided the Ukrainian first comes through Suarez. The Filipino is the WBO mandatory challenger, making the proposed comeback fight a significant step towards a championship opportunity.

WBA obligations complicate the undisputed route

The remaining major belt sits within a more complicated WBA title picture.

Anthony Cacace holds the organisation’s “super” championship and is scheduled to defend against Nick Ball in Belfast on December 19. Elnur Samedov, previously the interim champion, was elevated to WBA “regular” champion under a resolution allowing Cacace to make that voluntary defence.

Samedov will first defend his belt against Liam Wilson on the Tim Tszyu–Erislandy Lara undercard at Cbus Super Stadium on the Gold Coast, Queensland, on December 13 local time. The show airs on December 12 in the United States.

The WBA’s existing order requires the Cacace–Ball winner to face Samedov at a neutral venue. It also bars a unification fight until the division has a single WBA champion, creating another hurdle in any attempt to bring all four major belts together.

Top Rank, which first signed Lomachenko when he turned professional in 2013, will now work alongside Loma Power Promotions on the next stage of his career.

“Vasiliy is one of the most gifted fighters I’ve ever promoted, and I’m delighted he’s returning to the ring,” Top Rank chairman Bob Arum said. “He’s accomplished so much, but he’s determined to become undisputed. There’s tremendous talent at super featherweight, and we’re looking forward to working with Loma Power Promotions to put on some terrific fights.”

Lomachenko, 18-3 with 12 stoppages, has won world titles at featherweight, super-featherweight and lightweight. His first fight since beating Kambosos is now approaching, with Suarez the expected opponent and Foster the championship target beyond it.