Lomachenko re-signs with Top Rank for early 2027 return

Vasiliy Lomachenko returns to Top Rank.

The three-division world champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist has signed a multi-year co-promotional agreement with Top Rank through his newly formed Loma Power Promotions.

Lomachenko announced his retirement in June 2025 after a dominant win over George Kambosos Jr. in May 2024.

Now, after more than two years away from the ring, the 38-year-old southpaw is coming back.

He will drop down to junior lightweight — a division he has not fought in since 2017 — and make his ring return in early 2027.

Top Rank chairman Bob Arum confirmed the plan in an interview with Fight Freaks Unite.

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

Charly Suarez is the WBO mandatory challenger at junior lightweight.

Suarez is 19-0 with 11 knockouts.

The fight is expected to take place in Las Vegas, though a venue has not been officially announced.

Lomachenko (18-3, 12 KOs) has been promoted by Top Rank since his professional debut in 2013 against Jose Luis Ramirez.

He became a featherweight world champion in just his third pro fight, defeating Gary Allen Russell Jr. by majority decision for the vacant WBO featherweight title.

He knocked out Roman Martinez in 2016 to win the WBO junior lightweight title.

He moved up to lightweight in 2018 and stopped Jorge Linares in the tenth round to win the WBA (super) and Ring Magazine lightweight titles.

He later beat Jose Pedraza to win the WBO lightweight belt and Luke Campbell for the WBC lightweight title.

Lomachenko lost his three lightweight titles in 2020 by unanimous decision against Teofimo Lopez.

He fought for the undisputed lightweight championship in 2023 but lost a unanimous decision to Devin Haney — a result Lomachenko insisted he won.

His last fight was against George Kambosos Jr. in May 2024, a bout Loma dominated to capture the IBF lightweight title.

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

But Lomachenko 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. But our Lord Jesus Christ had other plans for me," Lomachenko said in a press release.

"I'm happy to be living this boxing life once again. I'm grateful to everyone who is once again part of this journey."

Arum said the plan extends 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 a former WBC junior lightweight champion who currently holds a version of the WBC title at 130 pounds.

"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 IBF champion is currently Eduardo Nunez.

Lomachenko has never been undisputed champion in any division.

He came within one title of being undisputed at lightweight in 2020 before losing to Lopez.

Now, at 130 pounds, he is chasing that same goal.

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

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

Lomachenko won world titles at featherweight, super featherweight and lightweight.

Despite losing three fights, his ability to move up through the weights as a smaller southpaw made him one of the most respected boxers of his era.

He is a two-time Olympic gold medalist for Ukraine.

His professional record stands at 18-3 with 12 knockouts.

The February 13 date has been reported by multiple outlets as the target for the Suarez fight.

Neither Top Rank nor Lomachenko's camp has officially confirmed the date.

The fight will take place at junior lightweight, a division where Lomachenko has not competed since 2017.

That year, he knocked out Guillermo Rigondeaux in the sixth round to retain his WBO super featherweight title.

He moved to lightweight in 2018 and never returned to 130 pounds — until now.

The drop in weight is significant for a 38-year-old fighter who has spent the last seven years fighting at 135 pounds or higher.

But Arum expressed confidence in Lomachenko's ability to make the weight and compete at championship level.