Vasiliy Lomachenko is a Ukrainian professional boxer who has won numerous awards throughout his career. In 2013, he was named Prospect of the Year by The Ring magazine and ESPN. CBS Sports named him Boxer of the Year in 2016, and HBO Sports named him Boxer of the Year in 2016 and 2017. As of January 2023, he was ranked as the world’s seventh-best active boxer, pound for pound, by The Ring, and is also ranked as the world’s second-best active lightweight by The Ring and ESPN, third by the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, and fourth by BoxRec.
Personal Information
| Full name | Vasyl Anatoliyovych Lomachenko |
| Other name | The Matrix, Hi-Tech |
| Date of birth | 17 February 1988 (age 35) |
| Place of birth | Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union |
| Nationality | Ukrainian |
| Years active | 2013-present |
| Age | 35 |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) |
| Reach | 65+1⁄2 in (166 cm) |
| Net worth | $8-$10 Million |
| Mother’s name | Tetiana Lomachenko |
| Father’s name | Anatoly Lomachenko |
Early career
Lomachenko was a highly accomplished amateur boxer. In 2007, he won a silver medal at the World Championships in Chicago, defeating five opponents but losing to Albert Selimov. He won a gold medal at the Beijing Olympics in 2008 with an incredible 45-point margin and was named the tournament’s outstanding boxer. That same year, he also won gold at the European Championships. Lomachenko continued to excel, becoming a two-weight world champion in 2009 and 2011. In 2012, he captured his second gold medal at the Olympics in a row.
Lomachenko participated in the World Series of Boxing’s lightweight category from January to May 2013, which some media outlets argued should have been counted towards his professional record because the WSB is legally considered professional boxing.
Professional career
Lomachenko signed a contract with Top Rank and became a professional after winning his second Olympic gold medal. On the undercard of Timothy Bradley vs. Juan Manuel Marquez, he made his debut by knocking out José Ramirez in the fourth round. He fought Orlando Salido for the WBO featherweight championship in his second bout, but Salido was unable to make weight and had to rehydrate to 147 pounds on fight night.
Lomachenko was defeated by a split decision even though Salido landed multiple low strikes and headbutts that went unpunished by the referee. Lomachenko agreed with the choice, but he also chastised the referee for how he handled the contest and pledged to take something positive away from the experience.
When Lomachenko faced Thai boxer Piriyapinyo in 2014 to defend his title, despite Piriyapinyo’s outstanding record, Lomachenko had little trouble winning. With numerous strikes and even knocking Piriyapinyo to the ground in the fourth round, Lomachenko easily prevailed. Lomachenko prevailed via unanimous decision, however he was forced to quit using his left hand after suffering an injury in the seventh round.
Immediately after defeating Piriyapinyo to defend his title, Lomachenko was scheduled to face Rodriguez. The match took place on the undercard of Mayweather vs. Pacquiao on May 2, 2015. With a ninth-round knockout victory, Lomachenko retained his WBO championship. Rodriguez even twice kneeled in submission as a result of his dominance throughout the battle. On November 7, 2015, Lomachenko took on Koasicha, winning via knockout in the tenth round. For the fight, he earned a career-high $750,000 and completely outclassed Koasicha, landing 334 of his 717 punches.
Lomachenko moved up a weight class to fight Román Martínez for the WBO junior lightweight title on 11 June 2016. He became the fastest boxer to win a world title in two weight divisions by knocking out Martinez in the fifth round. Lomachenko dominated the fight with superior footwork and slick punching and called out Orlando Salido for a rematch. He earned a career-high purse of $850,000.
In February 2017, promoter Bob Arum announced Vasyl Lomachenko’s next fight would be a super featherweight unification against WBA (Regular) champion Jason Sosa. Lomachenko successfully retained his WBO title for the second time after Sosa’s trainer pulled him out of the fight before round 10. Lomachenko expressed his desire to unify the division or move up to lightweight. He was paid $800,000 for the bout and drew higher viewership than his previous fight.
In January 2018, Lomachenko’s promoter Bob Arum announced that he would be moving up to the lightweight division due to the unavailability of unification fights in the super featherweight division. In December 2017, negotiations had begun for a fight between Lomachenko and lightweight champion Jorge Linares. Lomachenko became the fastest fighter to win belts in three separate weight classes when he defeated the opponent through TKO in round 10 of the bout, which was eventually planned for May 12, 2018, at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Following the match, Lomachenko gave up the WBO super featherweight title.
In April 2019, Lomachenko returned to the ring at the Staples Center in LA. Originally slated to fight the winner of Commey vs. Chaniev, who were supposed to have a lightweight unification bout, Lomachenko instead fought Anthony Crolla due to an injury to Commey. Lomachenko won, stopping Crolla in the fourth round, despite a brief referee stoppage during the fight.
In October 2020, Lomachenko lost to Teófimo López, who won by unanimous decision with controversy surrounding one judge’s scorecard. Lomachenko underwent surgery on his shoulder after the fight, and López declined to give him a rematch. Lomachenko then fought Masayoshi Nakatani in June 2021, winning by technical knockout and expressing a desire for a rematch with López.
Richard Commey was defeated by Lomachenko on December 11, 2021, with a score of 119-108, 119-108, and 117-110. He indicated interest in competing against Teofimo Lopez’s victor, George Kambosos Jr., but was unable to do so because of the conflict with Russia. On July 7, 2022, Lomachenko announced his comeback. He defeated Jamaine Ortiz by unanimous decision to advance to a potential matchup with undefeated champion Devin Haney.
Relationship status
Vasiliy Lomachenko and Olena are a married couple who have been blessed with two children – a daughter named Viktoriia and a son named Anatoly.
Net worth
Vasiliy Lomachenko, a Ukrainian boxer, has an estimated net worth ranging from $8 million to $10 million as of January 2023.
FAQs on Vasiliy Lomachenko
What is Vasiliy Lomachenko’s fighting style?
Lomachenko is famous for his exceptional agility, quick footwork, deft head motions, and ability to change stances. Boxing greats like Muhammed Ali, Mike Tyson, and Roy Jones Jr. have influenced Lomachenko’s approach to the sport.
Why did Lomachenko join the army?
Amidst the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine,
Lomachenko joined his hometown’s territorial defense battalion on February 27, 2022. Delayed by grounded air traffic, he entered Ukraine via Romania. He was inspired by the Klitschko brothers, who had also pledged to defend Kyiv.
What is the inspiration behind his tattoo?
The portrait tattoo on Lomachenko’s chest is of his trainer and father, Anatoly Lomachenko.
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