VASYL Lomachenko will not fight Gervonta Davis at the end of the year. While the fight could still happen in 2025, pushing it so far into the future, in an era where top fighters are no longer active, is a blow to the short-term progress of the lightweight division.
Some of the language used behind Lomachenko’s decision to end negotiations that barely got started was both revealing and disappointing, depending on your perspective. The Ukrainian star’s manager, Egis Klimas, told boxing reporter Steve Kim that Lomachenko was “not in the mood right now.” Klimas also made it clear that Lomachenko, 36, was not retiring and would instead spend time with his family.
After losing to Devin Haney in May 2023, Lomachenko went through some soul-searching before returning almost a year later, on May 12 in Australia, to fight George Kambosos. That night in Perth, the 11th-round stoppage was decisive and effective.
Loma showed flashes of his best, beating Kambosos and winning the IBF 135-weight title. Promoter Bob Arum is keen to pair him with Davis, which seemed possible before this update.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JUNE 15: WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis (R) punches Frank Martin during their championship match at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on June 15, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Davis retained his title with an eighth-round knockout. (Photo by Steve Marcus/Getty Images)
‘Tank’ Davis fought on June 15 in Las Vegas, knocking out previously unbeaten Frank Martin in the eighth round. While Davis has been guilty of not fighting often enough (the law has been on Gervonta’s radar as much as any opponent in the ring), a return this December against a fighter of Lomachenko’s caliber would be a solid two-fight year.
A matchup with Shakur Stevenson would be an even better alternative. Stevenson has enjoyed life as a free agent since parting ways with Top Rank, so that fight would be easier to arrange – at least in theory.
