As the world’s athletes do their bit to spread the word of peace from afar for the escalating situation in Ukraine, former unified lightweight champion Vasily Lomachenko has potentially put his world title shot against George Kambosos on the line to join the fight against Russia’s invasion.
Lomachenko joined other Ukraine sporting heroes in the battle to defend their homeland, along with heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, the Klitschko brothers, ex-Arsenal star Oleg Luzhny and Sheriff Tiraspol manager Yuriy Vernydub.
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According to ESPN, The 34-year-old was in Greece when the invasion began, and his flight home to Ukraine late last week was delayed due to air traffic being grounded.
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Determined to make it home to his family, the two-time Olympic gold-medallist flew into Bucharest and travelled through Romania to reach his home outside of Odessa. A few days later, a viral photo of Lomachenko with local mayor Vitaly Hrazhdan, was shared on his Facebook page, dressed in military uniform and carrying an assault rifle.
Talks of a stadium fight in Melbourne against current unified champ Kambosos in the middle of the year were starting to gain some steam.
The June title bout is set to be televised in the United States on ESPN and Lomachenko agreed to his side of the deal earlier last month.
But with the Ukraine star now in back home indefinitely, one would think those plans would have to be on the backburner now.
Wide World of Sports contacted Kambosos’ camp to get some clarity over the event but the Sydney fighter declined to comment on Lomachenko’s participation, with talks still ongoing.
The break out of war could open the door for WBC champion Devin Haney to fill the breach, even though the Lomachenko fight would have more reach for broadcast dollars outside the US.
Lomachenko has racked up two straight wins since he had surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff after his decision loss to Teofimo Lopez in October 2020.
His friend and WBO, WBA and IBF heavyweight champion boxer Usyk, has also enlisted with the armed forces, with his future also under a cloud.
Usyk, 35, had been in negotiations with Anthony Joshua over a rematch after defeating the British boxer by unanimous decision in September last year, however that fight is now likely to be delayed.
Usyk posted a photo of himself with three soldiers dressed up in full military gear and with a gun.
“We are so proud of our boxers, our real champions in boxing and champions in this war,” said Mykola Kovalchuk, president of WBC Ukraine. “We are proud to be Ukrainians.”
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