The scars that everyone carries on their bodies define the stories they carry with them. Those of Vasyl Lomachenko (Belgorod-Dniester, Ukraine, 1988) are deep.
Some of them are about success, after being one of the best fighters, in terms of technique and punches, of all time. And others are something more, for values and convictions that change lives.
In little more than two years, Lomachenko’s career went through all kinds of episodes. Some tragic, the war. Others of success, when he knocked down George Kambosos in Perth for the IBF crown in the very competitive light-heavyweight. An endless road.
Lomachenko has his roots in Belgorod-Dniester, a city in the Odessa Oblast. That is key because Ukraine’s third largest city is a conflict zone in the midst of the war that the Kremlin initiated. The Ukrainian naval force is based there and it is a key export point. Russia intensifies its shelling there.
When it all blew up and Lomachenko was already a world boxing star after a great amateur career, and a jump to the ‘pros’ that came with belts, he decided to change his life. He lived in Brooklyn and immediately traveled to his home country.
He changed his focus. He focused on Ukrainian defense and religion, and his career, already legendary and with a resume second to none, took another turn. “It changed my life, but not as an athlete,” he recounted.
Lomachenko and his boxing career
It took him 10 months to return to fighting and after beating Jamaine Ortiz, he met Devin Haney for the unified lightweight title. He lost to the then unbeaten Devin Haney and the decision was a controversial one.
Was it the end of him as a boxer? It could be in a way. It is common knowledge that the Ukrainian is not a lightweight, he puts on too many pounds to fight better opponents instead of sweeping at featherweight. But he is looking for glory.
Boxing knows it and the organizations gave him even more options given his status. Two years after his departure and return from the war front, he received a sporting award.
He fought in Australia, as a visitor, against the brave Kambosos. He gave a recital, landing 175 punches, 105 of them power punches and only taking 40. He knocked him out in the 11th round and lifted the IBF belt.
Some scars healed. While Russia continues to attack his city, Lomachenko defends Ukraine in boxing. The same fighter who has the most overwhelming non-professional record in history, with 396 wins and one loss. With two Olympic gold medals. The same fighter who was featherweight champion by the WBO, super featherweight champion by the WBA, unified lightweight champion…. Loma’ won. The infinite fighter.