Lomachenko Re-Signs With Top Rank, 2027 Return Set

Vasiliy Lomachenko has reversed his 2025 retirement decision, signing a new multi-year co-promotional deal with Top Rank and targeting a return to the ring in early 2027.

The Ukrainian southpaw, now 39, walked away from boxing two years ago after a storied career that saw him win world titles in three weight classes.

He will drop back down to junior lightweight — a division he last fought in during 2017 — for his comeback.

Top Rank chairman Bob Arum confirmed the deal and outlined a potential path toward undisputed glory at 130 pounds.

"Vasiliy is one of the most gifted fighters I've ever promoted, and I'm delighted he's returning to the ring," Arum told Fight Freaks Unite.

"He's accomplished so much, but he's determined to become undisputed."

Arum also revealed a rumored opponent and date for Lomachenko's return bout.

"Loma is gonna fight Suarez. That's pretty well done (for) February," Arum said.

Charly Suarez (19-0, 11 KOs) is the WBO mandatory challenger at junior lightweight.

The fight is reportedly being targeted for February 13, potentially in Las Vegas.

Lomachenko last fought competitively in May 2024, stopping George Kambosos Jr. in eleven rounds to capture the vacant IBF lightweight title.

He announced his retirement in June 2025, citing a lack of motivation and a desire to spend time with his family.

But the three-weight world champion said a change of heart brought him back.

"God works in mysterious ways. I thought I would never step back into the ring again as a boxer," Lomachenko said in a Top Rank press release.

"But our Lord Jesus Christ had other plans for me. 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 (18-3, 12 KOs) has been promoted by Top Rank since his professional debut in 2013 against Jose Luis Ramirez.

He won his first world title in just his third pro bout, defeating Gary Allen Russell Jr. by majority decision to lift the vacant WBO featherweight title.

He knocked out Roman Martinez in 2016 to win the WBO junior lightweight title, then moved up to lightweight, where he stopped Jorge Linares in 2018 to claim the WBA (super) and Ring Magazine lightweight titles.

He later beat Jose Pedraza to unify the WBA and WBO lightweight belts, and added the WBC title with a decision win over Luke Campbell.

Lomachenko came within one win of becoming undisputed at 135 pounds in 2020, but lost his three titles by unanimous decision against Teofimo Lopez.

He fought for the undisputed lightweight championship again in May 2023, losing a unanimous decision to Devin Haney — a result Lomachenko insisted he won.

His last fight was against Kambosos in May 2024, a bout he dominated before stopping the Australian in the eleventh round.

A rumored fight against Gervonta Davis fell through, and retirement followed.

Now, with the new deal, Lomachenko is returning at super featherweight, chasing the undisputed championship he never captured.

Arum laid out a longer-term plan beyond the Suarez fight.

"We're gonna have a long-term deal," Arum said.

"Whoever wins that fight (between Lomachenko and Suarez) would fight Foster sometime in the spring or summer of next year."

O'Shaquie Foster is the WBC junior lightweight champion.

"And whoever wins that fight between Loma and Foster would then fight the guy who has the other title," Arum added.

The WBA champion at junior lightweight is Anthony Cacace, who is due to defend his title against Nick Ball later this year.

The WBO title is currently vacant at 130 pounds, which is why the Suarez fight — as a WBO mandatory eliminator or title fight — makes sense as a first step.

The IBF champion at junior lightweight is not yet finalized, but the division has several contenders.

Lomachenko's return to super featherweight is significant because he has not fought at the weight since 2017, when he knocked out Guillermo Rigondeaux in six rounds.

He moved up to lightweight after that fight and never returned to 130 pounds.

Now, at 39, he is dropping back down to a division where he once ruled, but where the current champions are younger and hungry.

The move also sets up potential clashes with the current crop of lightweights and junior lightweights.

Top Rank has not announced a specific opponent or venue for the comeback bout beyond the Suarez rumor.

Lomachenko will be nearly two years removed from his last professional fight when he steps back through the ropes in early 2027.

The two-year layoff raises questions about ring rust and whether a 39-year-old fighter can still perform at an elite level after such a long break.

But Lomachenko's skill set has always been based on footwork, angles, and punching accuracy — attributes that age more gracefully than raw power or speed.

His promoter remains confident.

"There's tremendous talent at super featherweight," Arum said.

Lomachenko's new promotional deal is structured as a co-promotional agreement between Top Rank and his newly formed Loma Power Promotions.