Vasiliy Lomachenko made a successful comeback to the sport following almost a year of inactivity – and he had some heavyweight support.
After losing his unified titles to Teofimo Lopez in October of 2020, Lomachenko wanted nothing more than to win them back. To do that, he would have to stay active and build back through victories, however a global pandemic and Russian invasion gave the elite fighter much bigger things to worry about.
He beat Jamaine Ortiz last night in New York after deciding now was the time to leave his home country, believing that he can draw attention to the struggles on the world stage through his craft. It’s not unlike another Ukrainian, friend, and training parter – Oleksandr Usyk.
It wasn’t a surprise to see the Heavyweight Champion of the World supporting his countryman at the Hulu Theatre, Madison Square Garden – and to see Usyk helping with his friend’s gloves at the end of a tough twelve rounds, both sporting the colours of Ukraine, was a nice reminder of brotherhood and unity.
The heavyweight champ was there to help Loma after his fight 🤝 #LomaOrtizpic.twitter.com/JPtEM5OISA
— ESPN Ringside (@ESPNRingside) October 30, 2022
Of course, Usyk’s trip wasn’t all pleasure. Some business was apparently discussed with Bob Arum, head of Top Rank, as to when he might step in the ring with Tyson Fury to crown an undisputed heavyweight champion.
Fans are expecting to see the fight in Spring of 2023 – and will be pleased that the Ukrainian champ thinks similar. FightHype caught a word with him on his way into the arena and managed to ask who was next. ‘Tyson Fury’ was the response.