The 37-year-old IBF World Lightweight Champion Vasyl Lomachenko (Ukraine), with a record of 18 wins (12 KOs) and 3 losses, announced on his Instagram that he has decided to retire from professional boxing after much reflection, bringing an end to a 12-year career in the ring.
“First and foremost, I want to thank our Lord Jesus Christ for everything He has done for me. He guided a proud young man down a path that ultimately taught me fame, legacy, and recognition are not the true purposes of life. I’m grateful for every victory and every defeat — both in the ring and in life.”
“And of course, I must thank all the dear boxing fans around the world. You have always supported me with passion and lived through unforgettable fights with me for over a decade.”
“As my career comes to an end, I am thankful that I now have clarity not just about the ring, but also about the direction one must take in life to achieve true victory,” said Lomachenko, also expressing gratitude to his family and friends.
Vasyl Lomachenko, who won gold medals in the featherweight division at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and in the lightweight division at the 2012 London Olympics, turned professional with an extraordinary amateur record of 391 wins and only 1 loss, signing with Bob Arum’s Top Rank.
In his professional debut in October 2013, Lomachenko knocked out world-ranked No. 6 Jose Ramirez (Mexico) in the fourth round. Aiming to win a world title in just his second professional bout—a potential all-time record—he challenged WBO featherweight champion Orlando Salido (Mexico) on March 1, 2014 (March 2 Japan time) in San Antonio, Texas.
However, Salido failed to make weight and was stripped of the title. The bout still proceeded with the title on the line for Lomachenko, but the crafty veteran Salido used every trick in the book to disrupt Lomachenko’s rhythm, handing him a 12-round split-decision loss. Though the record-setting achievement slipped away, Lomachenko rebounded in his third professional fight, defeating Gary Russell Jr. (USA) to capture the vacant WBO title—becoming a world champion in just three fights.
From there, Lomachenko reigned at the top of the sport, achieving world titles in three weight classes in a record-setting 12 fights. Known for his brilliant footwork, dazzling technique, and rapid-fire combinations, he defined an era with his unique and masterful boxing style.
Lomachenko was introduced to boxing by his father, Anatoly, who was a boxing trainer. However, his first dream was to become an ice hockey player, and he also trained in dance and gymnastics. Through a strict routine of six hours of training a day, along with disciplined eating and sleep habits, he rose to the top of both the amateur and professional ranks.
“I’ve made many mistakes in life and in the gym, but my father was always by my side, correcting me when needed. I have so many warm memories with him. He taught me not just about boxing, but how to be a role model for my own children.”
“To my family — you’ve always been on my side. You shared in my victories and felt the pain of my defeats. And those defeats made us stronger.”
Expressing his heartfelt thoughts toward his late father and his family, Lomachenko shared his relief at finally being able to step away from the battlefield of the ring and spend peaceful time with his loved ones. He was truly a remarkable champion.
The origin of Lomachenko’s brilliant footwork lies in his father Anatoly’s belief that footwork is the most essential element in boxing. There are even reports that he first had Lomachenko take dance lessons before allowing him to train in boxing. It was a valuable lesson—starting with footwork above all else.
This article has been translated and published with permission from BOXING MASTER.
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