Vasiliy Lomachenko's Last Dance? Career Reflections Ahead of Kambosos Fight

Ukrainian boxing legend Vasiliy Lomachenko is gearing up for a crucial showdown against George Kambosos this Saturday, fully aware that his storied career is in its twilight.

The upcoming bout, scheduled for May 12, will see Lomachenko vying for the vacant IBF lightweight title. This fight marks his return to the ring since his loss to Devin Haney last May, a defeat that cost him the undisputed championship. Regarded by many as one of the pound-for-pound best fighters in the sport, Lomachenko, at 36, acknowledges that his prime years might be behind him.

In a candid interview with Fox Sports Australia, Lomachenko reflected on his career's imminent conclusion, stating,

"If you are talking about ages in boxing...I’m [an] old man. But my career is almost done, of course. How many years it’s going to be, one, two, three, that’s it. But I still think I have a little bit of power. It’s a hard question [when I will retire exactly]."

Competing above his natural weight class for the past six years, Lomachenko has consistently faced larger and stronger opponents in the lightweight division. Recent defeats to Teofimo Lopez and Devin Haney have undoubtedly taken a toll on the veteran's body, with Lomachenko acknowledging the increasing difficulty of recovering after fights at this stage in his career.

"At this stage, every fight is hard. It’s hard to recover after fights. I don’t know what will happen with my body after this fight and that’s why I can’t give you an answer to this question [of when I will retire],"

Lomachenko admitted, highlighting the uncertainties surrounding his future in the sport.