Vasyl Lomachenko returns to the ring, big fight with Devin Haney on the horizon

Vasyl Lomachenko returns to the ring, big fight with Devin Haney on the horizon

Passing on an opportunity last year to meet lightweight champion George Kambosos to fight (against Russia) for his country, Vasyl Lomachenko steps back into the squared circle on Oct.29th to face Jamaine Ortiz at Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theatre. Check out the top boxing odds

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Lomachenko, 34, was last seen in the ring 11 months ago, whipping Richard Commey over 12-rounds.

In 2020, Lomachenko owned two lightweight titles until Teofimo Lopez took them away in an upset. Lomachenko seemed to accept his loss. Then, after saying they (the Lomachenko team) didn’t want to make excuses, word leaked out that Lomachenko fought with a bum shoulder- so, let’s not make an excuse – and then MAKE an excuse.

Not the best look for a two-time Olympic gold medalist. In the summer of 2021, eight months after losing to Lopez, Lomachenko took out his frustration on Masayoshi Nakatani, battering the youngster for nine rounds until the referee took mercy on Masayoshi.

Then came former champion Commey – lacking in talent to compete with Lomachenko but loaded with courage.

“I love my sport, and I am so glad to be back,” said Lomachenko at a press conference announcing the fight last month. “My goal is to win the undisputed lightweight title, but I will not take Jamaine Ortiz lightly. Madison Square Garden and Hulu Theater at MSG have been special places in my career, and I look forward to making more great memories on October 29. I want to dedicate this fight to all my Ukrainian people. I wear the flag proudly every time I step in the ring.”

Ortiz,26, who retired from former lightweight titleholder

Jamel Herring a year ago is jazzed to fight Lomachenko.

“I’m excited about this fight, “said the Massachusetts native. “Vasiliy Lomachenko is a great fighter.”

Ortiz should know. He spent five weeks working with Lomachenko before the Commey fight.

“Sparring [with Lomachenko] went very well for me,” Ortiz told www.boxingscene.com last year. “The things he does, he wouldn’t be able to do that to me. I move different. When that bell rings, everything comes into play. I’m bigger, stronger, and have a high fight IQ – I am confident in what I can do once I step into that ring.”

Ortiz has shown steady improvement since turning professional six years ago after a successful amateur career.

His victory over Herring was surprising to a point. Herring, 36 at the time, had lost his previous fight to Shakur Stevenson – looking sluggish and overmatched. Ortiz, younger and fresher, took advantage down the stretch and won a decision. Check out the top boxing betting sites.

Lomachenko is 34. He’s hardly past it, though he might have lost a half step. Still, he can dazzle as he did against Nakatani and Commey.

If victorious, Lomachenko will likely fight Devin Haney next.

“Now he (Haney) is the undisputed world champion,” said Lomachenko to ESNEWS last week. “He holds four belts. So now he’s the undisputed world champion; that’s why I want this fight.”

“A fight with Lomachenko definitely excites me,” said Haney before dominating George Kambosos Jr. for the second time.

Let’s make it happen.