VASYL Lomachenko won’t combat Gervonta Davis on the finish of the yr. Whereas the combat might nonetheless be a risk for 2025, the actual fact it has been pushed up to now into the longer term, in an period of already inactive top-level fighters, is a blow for the light-weight division’s short-term development.
A number of the language used behind Lomachenko’s choice to finish talks that hardly ever received began is each revealing and irritating, relying in your viewpoint. The Ukrainian star’s supervisor, Egis Klimas, informed boxing reporter Steve Kim that Lomachenko is “not within the temper proper now.” Klimas additionally clarified that Lomachenko, 36, just isn’t retired and can spend time along with his household as a substitute.
After shedding to Devin Haney in Might 2023, Lomachenko went by way of a interval of soul looking out earlier than returning nearly a yr later, on Might 12 in Australia, to combat George Kambosos. That evening in Perth, the Eleventh-round stoppage was medical and decisive.
Loma confirmed cameo spots of his greatest work, crushing Kambosos and exiting with the IBF title at 135. Promoter Bob Arum was eager on matching him with Davis, which appeared prefer it might occur, earlier than this up to date announcement.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JUNE 15: WBA light-weight champion Gervonta Davis (R) punches Frank Martin throughout a title combat at MGM Grand Backyard Enviornment on June 15, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Davis retained his title with an eighth-round knockout. (Photograph by Steve Marcus/Getty Pictures)
‘Tank’ Davis fought on June 15 in Las Vegas, halting the beforehand unbeaten Frank Martin in spherical eight. Whereas Davis has been responsible of not preventing typically sufficient (regulation enforcement has been in Gervonta’s grill as a lot as any in-ring foe), getting again out this December in opposition to a fighter of Lomachenko’s calibre would’ve been a stable two-fight yr.
A combat with Shakur Stevenson can be a good higher substitute. Stevenson has been having fun with life as a free agent since splitting with High Rank. That combat would, due to this fact, be simpler to place collectively – in principle, at the very least.
