Simply previous to the Christmas holidays, Bob Arum gave an interview with Sky Sports activities, and he mentioned that Vasiliy Lomachenko would determine by January 1st if he would or wouldn’t battle once more. Properly, 9 days after the supposed deadline, Loma has nonetheless to make up his thoughts – at the least formally. And as nice as Lomachenko is, the game waits for no man.
As has been reported by quite a few web sites, Lomachenko, who was given a medical exemption of 60 days on November 14, has now been granted a second medical exemption. Nonetheless, the situation is that Lomachenko should face the winner of an in-the-works battle between Zaur Abdullaev, 20-1(12), and Raymond Muratalla, 22-0(17), who’re in talks to fulfill for the IBF interim belt, by October eighth or else Loma can be stripped of the belt he received again in Might with a win over George Kambosos.
Author Jake Donovan put out a message on X reporting these developments.
So, if Loma doesn’t battle the Abdullaev-Muratalla winner by October 8 on the newest, he’ll not be the IBF light-weight champion if he does determine to return again at a later date. In such a state of affairs, the winner of the battle between Muratalla and Abdullaev – which may show to be a enjoyable battle if it occurs – could be elevated to full IBF champion.
So, Lomachenko, 18-3(12) has a battle he can concentrate on IF he IS nonetheless desirous about boxing once more. Lomacheko, a future Corridor of Famer for sure, should have the itch to battle, and there could possibly be massive fights on the market for him this yr and past. Or does Lomachenko really feel in his coronary heart of hearts he has finished all he desires to do within the sport?
Solely time will inform. 36-year-old Loma beat Kambosos to regain the IBF portion of the 135-pound crown on Might twelfth of 2024, so nearly 17 months can have gone by the point the October 8 deadline rolls round.
