Lomachenko may have another chance to fight for the undisputed world title. There is also a perfect opponent.

The loss to Devin Haney for the title of the undisputed lightweight champion of the world again alienated the former world champion in three divisions Vasily Lomachenko from his dream. But it certainly did not make him say goodbye to her. Moreover, the performance of the 35-year-old Ukrainian in a duel with Haney leaves him a chance to fight for all four belts again.

A Ukrainian can get it even this year. It all depends on whether Haney decides to give revenge to the Ukrainian or change the weight category, and whether the head of Top Rank can convince the four leading organizations to give his fighters a fight for the undisputed lightweight title again. We can assume that Lomachenko’s decision to continue his professional career may also depend on this. Let’s try to figure it out.

Will Lomachenko end his pro career?

Even before the fight, considering various options, we assumed that in case of failure in the duel with Haney Lomachenko, he could announce his sports retirement. If we continue to indulge in speculation, then such a development of events could turn out to be probable if Lomachenko lost devastatingly or ahead of schedule.

But, admittedly, Lomachenko showed that it is too early to write him off with a score and he still remains not just one of the tops, but, perhaps, the strongest fighter in the division. The referee’s decision in the fight with Haney (it’s still difficult to call it a robbery), and the overwhelming majority of experts and current boxers agree with this, as well as the reaction of the Ukrainian promoters, who announced that they were appealing the verdict of the arbitrators, leave room for maneuver. Vasily himself made it clear after the fight that he did not plan to end his career. Unless, of course, we correctly interpreted his phrase: “See you soon.”

Is a rematch with Haney possible?

It is clear that the outcome of the fight between Lomachenko and Haney is unlikely to be reviewed. Another thing is that public pressure may force Haney to give revenge to the Ukrainian in order to finally remove all questions regarding the confrontation with Lomachenko. Devin has proven time and time again that he cares about his legacy, in which a duel with a Ukrainian can be an unpleasant stain. Moreover, now the interest in the battle will be even higher.

Another thing is that Haney may already be looking at the category above, as he himself and his promoters spoke about. The risk of losing to Lomachenko is quite high. The risk of losing the belts in a fight with another star Shakur Stevenson is also rather big. Yes, and Haney himself, it seems, is already difficult and cramped within the framework of lightweight – anthropometry allows him to easily change divisions, and a victory over one of the light welterweight champions will overshadow the result of the fight with Lomachenko.

Do not forget that after the duel with the Ukrainian, Haney’s contract with Top Rank ended, and it is still unclear who will continue to deal with the American. If he wants to stay with Bob Arum’s promotional company, then there will be chances for a rematch with Lomachenko, who was not written into the contract for the fight. In any case, Devin will have one opponent in the lightweight division, the fight with which will cause no less interest than the fight with Lomachenko – the already mentioned Stevenson. More on this below.

If Haney changes category like he promised

In this case, the belts will remain vacant and the first numbers in the rating will compete for them. And while Lomachenko has excellent chances to re-enter the title fight. And, perhaps, even again for the title of absolute champion.

As we can see, as of May 2023, Lomachenko is in the TOP-3 rating of all four leading boxing organizations, and according to two of them, he even takes the first places. Remarkably, in the TOP-5 of all four organizations and another star boxer, Shakur Stevenson, already mentioned by us earlier. And best of all, he also represents Arum’s Top Rank, the same promotional company as Lomachenko.

In other words, if Arum, in the event of Haney leaving him and Devin leaving the championship belts, can organize the Lomachenko-Stevenson fight, which looks very loud in name and status, all four organizations will have a formal reason to put their titles on the line. In any case, such a decision will not cause sweeping criticism, except perhaps for the teams of several boxers who are in the ratings higher than Lomachenko and Stevenson, but it will definitely be accepted with a bang by experts and fans. Yes, and the organizers will bring money.

No one doubts Arum’s negotiating abilities and the power of persuasion. It remains only to make sure of the desire, but, perhaps, the desire to correct Lomachenko for judicial arbitrariness in the fight with Haney will play.

How real is the Lomachenko-Stevenson fight?

Quite. As already mentioned, the interest in the fight is huge. Top Rank also loses nothing: if Lomachenko wins, he will have the opportunity to organize a couple of good fights for the Ukrainian, Stevenson’s win will further establish Shakur as a top fighter and give the company a new star and a boxer to bet on.

Plus, Stevenson last fought just a month before Lomachenko and still has no opponent for the next fight, so bringing the boxers together in one fight, which will also have enough intrigue, will not be a problem. Another thing is in what status the duel is possible. Yes, much, if not all, now depends on Haney’s decision. But the story can be very beautiful and interesting. And most importantly, win-win in terms of money and reputation for all parties.