Vasiliy Lomachenko is reportedly preparing to come out of retirement and return to the ring later this year.
According to veteran boxing reporter Mike Coppinger, sources told Ring Magazine that Lomachenko is targeting a comeback in the fall of 2026 after previously stepping away from boxing.
The report has immediately sparked excitement across the boxing world, with fans now speculating about possible opponents for the former three-division world champion.
Vasiliy Lomachenko reportedly becomes promotional free agent
Coppinger also revealed that Lomachenko’s contract with Top Rank officially expires today, making him a promotional free agent for the first time in years.
According to the report, the Ukrainian star is not interested in tune-up fights and instead wants to return directly to major matchups.
“Vasiliy Lomachenko is coming out of retirement and is targeting a return in fall of this year, sources tell@ringmagazine. Lomachenko’s contract with Top Rank expires today and he’s now a promotional free agent. He only wants the big fights, I’m told, no tuneups,” Coppinger wrote on X.
Vasiliy Lomachenko is coming out of retirement and is targeting a return in fall of this year, sources tell @ringmagazine. Lomachenko’s contract with Top Rank expires today and he’s now a promotional free agent. He only wants the big fights, I’m told, no tuneups. pic.twitter.com/cDlZJ8WCG0
— Mike Coppinger (@MikeCoppinger) May 12, 2026
Lomachenko officially announced his retirement from boxing in June 2025 at the age of 37, following one of the most decorated careers in modern boxing history.
The Ukrainian superstar retired with a professional record of 18-3 with 12 knockouts, while nearly every fight of his career came at world championship level.
Before turning professional, Lomachenko also built a legendary amateur résumé, reportedly compiling a 396-1 record while winning two Olympic gold medals for Ukraine, first in Beijing 2008 and then in London 2012.
His final professional fight came in May 2024 at Rac Arena, Perth, when he stopped George Kambosos Jr. in the 11th round to capture the IBF lightweight title.
Even at this stage of his career, the Ukrainian remains one of the most respected technical fighters in boxing and would immediately become a major attraction if he officially returns.
However, Lomachenko has not issued an official statement on a comeback as of this writing, and no opponent or event has been confirmed.
It remains to be seen what direction the former world champion could take if he decides to step back into the ring.
