Vasiliy Lomachenko

Lomachenko was coached by his father Anatoly Lomachenko from a young age. He claims that if his father had not been a boxing coach he probably would have chosen to play ice hockey professionally.[https://web.archive.org/web/20090916201742/http://www.aiba.org/en-US/news/ozqsp/newsId/2631/news.aspx "Lomachenko lapping up the applause"]. International Boxing Association. 14 September 2009. Archived from [http://www.aiba.org/en-US/news/ozqsp/newsId/2631/news.aspx the original] on 16 September 2009. Retrieved 23 August 2017. According to Bob Arum in 2017, Lomachenko's father did not let him train for boxing until he attended traditional Ukrainian dance classes. He then went on to gymnastics before finally getting into the ring.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/42264257|title=Lomachenko v Rigondeaux: Bob Arum, Roy Jones Jr. & Freddie Roach on a super-fight|date=2017-12-07|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=2017-12-08}}

At the 2007 World Championships in Chicago, he won silver by beating Abner Cotto in the first round, Theodoros Papazov, Mikhail Bernadski, Arturo Santos Reyes, and Li Yang in the semifinal to reach fellow southpaw and Russian favorite Albert Selimov, to whom he lost 11–16. This was the only loss in Lomachenko's amateur career.

Lomachenko won gold at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. He beat his five opponents by an astonishing 45 point margin, outscoring them 58–13, en route to his first gold medal at the senior level. He was subsequently named the outstanding boxer of the tournament and awarded the Val Barker Trophy. Additionally, he won gold again that year to also become continental champion at the European Championships in Liverpool.

He won gold at the 2009 World Championships in Milan. He then competed as a lightweight at the 2011 World Championships in Baku after AIBA removed the featherweight division. There, he won his second consecutive gold medal to become a two-weight world champion.

Following a forced move up to lightweight, he won his second consecutive Olympic gold medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London to become a rare two-weight Olympic champion.{{cite web|url=https://www.badlefthook.com/2012/8/12/3237368/olympics-2012-boxing-results-vasyl-lomachenko-second-gold-medal-pro-aiba-contract-london|title=Olympics 2012 Boxing Results: Vasyl Lomachenko Cruises to Second Gold Medal|website=BadLeftHook.com|author=Scott Christ|date=August 12, 2012|access-date=July 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714135308/https://www.badlefthook.com/2012/8/12/3237368/olympics-2012-boxing-results-vasyl-lomachenko-second-gold-medal-pro-aiba-contract-london|archive-date=July 14, 2018|url-status=live}} He defeated Han Soon-Chul of South Korea in the final, {{nowrap|19–9}}, and was a strong candidate to win the Val Barker Trophy for a second time in what would have historically been an unprecedented feat. Ultimately, he was edged out by welterweight gold medal winner, Serik Sapiyev, of Kazakhstan.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/sapiyev-edges-lomachenko-val-barker-trophy--56006|title=Sapiyev Edges Lomachenko For Val Barker Trophy|website=BoxingScene.com|author=Jake Donovan|date=August 12, 2012|access-date=July 14, 2018}}

He finished his extensive amateur career with an impressive record of 396 wins and only 1 loss, to Albert Selimov, which was avenged twice.{{cite news|title=Bradley vs Marquez results: Vasyl Lomachenko dominates in pro debut|url=http://www.badlefthook.com/2013/10/12/4832548/marquez-vs-bradley-results-vasyl-lomachenko-dominates-in-pro-debut|author=Scott Christ|date=October 12, 2013|publisher=Bad Left Hook|access-date=October 13, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923182721/http://www.badlefthook.com/2013/10/12/4832548/marquez-vs-bradley-results-vasyl-lomachenko-dominates-in-pro-debut|archive-date=September 23, 2015|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/LomachenkoVasyl/status/337311429071880192 |title=Twitter /Vasyl Lomachenko |publisher=Twitter.com |access-date=2014-06-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022155411/https://twitter.com/LomachenkoVasyl/status/337311429071880192 |archive-date=2013-10-22 |url-status=live }} In November 2017, boxing website The Sweet Science conducted a readers' poll, which ran for several weeks, to determine the amateur boxer regarded by the public majority as the all-time best. Alongside Lomachenko, the five other standout finalists selected were: László Papp, Teófilo Stevenson, Félix Savón, Mark Breland, and Guillermo Rigondeaux. While none were able to claim the majority vote, Lomachenko won a plurality, having led the poll with nearly one-third of the total votes cast.{{cite web|url=http://www.thesweetscience.com/feature-articles/46560-best-amateur-ever-loma-rigo-fight|title=Best Amateur Ever? The Loma-Rigo Fight Will Be More Grist for the Mill|website=TheSweetScience.com|author=Bernard Fernandez|date=November 30, 2017|access-date=July 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714164332/http://www.thesweetscience.com/feature-articles/46560-best-amateur-ever-loma-rigo-fight|archive-date=July 14, 2018|url-status=live}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

2007

• Defeated Abner Cotto (Puerto Rico) 26–9
• Defeated Theodoros Papazov (Greece) 19–5
• Defeated Mikhail Bernadski (Belarus) 21–6
• Defeated Arturo Santos Reyes (Mexico) RSCO 3 {{small|(0:25)}}
• Defeated Li Yang (China) 14–13
• Lost to Albert Selimov (Russia) 11–16

2009

• Defeated Mario Aleksić (Bosnia and Herzegovina) 16–2
• Defeated Craig Evans (Wales) 15–1
• Defeated Branimir Stanković (Serbia) 8–2
• Defeated Óscar Valdez (Mexico) 12–1
• Defeated Sergey Vodopyanov (Russia) 12–1

2011

• Defeated Lomalito Moala (Tonga) RSC 1 {{small|(2:06)}}
• Defeated José Carlos Ramírez (USA) 16–9
• Defeated Robson Conceição (Brasil) 19–18
• Defeated Fazliddin Gaibnazarov (Uzbekistan) 18–10
• Defeated Domenico Valentino (Italy) 17–11
• Defeated Yasniel Toledo (Cuba) 17–12

2006

• Defeated Derenik Gizhlaryan (Armenia) 34–14
• Defeated Sergey Vodopyanov (Russia) 37–17
• Defeated Andrew Selby (Wales) RSCO
• Defeated Rahim Najafov (Azerbaijan) RSCO
• Defeated Albert Portuondo (Cuba) RSCO 3{{cite web|url=http://amateur-boxing.strefa.pl/Championships/WorldJuniorChamps2006.html|title=Amateur Boxing Results|work=Amateur Boxing Zone|access-date=2018-06-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080208182313/http://amateur-boxing.strefa.pl/Championships/WorldJuniorChamps2006.html|archive-date=2008-02-08|url-status=live}}

{{col-2}}

2008

• Defeated Albert Selimov (Russia) 14–7
• Defeated Bahodirjon Sooltonov (Uzbekistan) 13–1
• Defeated Li Yang (China) 12–3
• Defeated Yakup Kılıç (Turkey) 10–1
• Defeated Khedafi Djelkhir (France) 9–1 RSC 1 {{small|(2:51)}}

2012

• 1st round bye
• Defeated Wellington Arias (Dominican Republic) 15–3
• Defeated Félix Verdejo (Puerto Rico) 14–9
• Defeated Yasniel Toledo (Cuba) 14–11
• Defeated Han Soon-Chul (Republic of Korea) 19–9

2008

• Defeated Vladimir Nikiforov (Estonia) 10–0
• Defeated David Oliver Joyce (Ireland) 10–2
• Defeated Hicham Ziouti (France) 2–1
• Defeated Araik Ambartsumov (Russia) 7–1{{cite web|title=Medallists by weight category |work=AIBA |url=http://www.aiba.org/documents/site1/Events/European%20CHs%202008/2008%20Euro%20CH%20Medallists.pdf |access-date=16 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090920060228/http://www.aiba.org/documents/site1/Events/European%20CHs%202008/2008%20Euro%20CH%20Medallists.pdf |archive-date=20 September 2009 }}

2004

• Defeated Constantin Paraschiv (Romania) 23–8
• Defeated Edgaras Žemaitis (Lithuania) RSCO
• Defeated Samvel Barseghyan (Armenia) RSCO 2
• Defeated Farid Aleshkin (Russia) 34–12{{cite web|url=http://amateur-boxing.strefa.pl/Championships/EuropeanCadetChampionships2004.html|title=Amateur Boxing Results|work=Amateur Boxing Zone|access-date=2018-06-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180413193929/http://amateur-boxing.strefa.pl/Championships/EuropeanCadetChampionships2004.html|archive-date=2018-04-13|url-status=live}}

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Prior to turning professional, Lomachenko competed in the lightweight division of the World Series of Boxing (WSB) from January to May 2013. Some outlets would later claim that the six fights Lomachenko had in this tournament should have counted towards his professional record, due to WSB being professional boxing by law, with no headgear and rounds being scored using the ten-point must system according to the regulations set by professional boxing commissions that license the boxers, promoters, and officials.Fischer, Doug (3 March 2014). [http://www.ringtv.com/322571-vasyl-lomachenko-the-wsb-and-the-record-keeping-divide/ "Vasyl Lomachenko, The WSB and the Record-Keeping Divide"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161130042209/http://www.ringtv.com/322571-vasyl-lomachenko-the-wsb-and-the-record-keeping-divide/ |date=2016-11-30 }}. The Ring. Retrieved 29 November 2016.

After winning his second Olympic gold medal, Lomachenko made the decision to turn professional. After meeting with several fight promoters, he signed a contract to fight for Top Rank. Lomachenko made his professional debut in United States on 12 October 2013 as part of the undercard to Timothy Bradley vs. Juan Manuel Márquez, defeating Mexican fighter José Ramirez with a fourth-round knockout.

{{Main|Orlando Salido vs. Vasiliy Lomachenko}}

Lomachenko attempted to make history by winning a world championship in his second fight and breaking Saensak Muangsurin's record, who won a junior welterweight world title in his third pro fight in 1975. He challenged veteran boxer Orlando Salido for World Boxing Organization's featherweight title. The title became vacant after Salido failed to make weight, weighed in {{frac|128|1|4}} pounds, over the 126 pound limit. On fight night, he rehydrated to 147 pounds, which was equivalent to the welterweight limit. All of which were still legal since there were no rehydration clauses disclosed in the contract. The fight took place in front of 7,323 at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas, on 1 March 2014.{{Cite news|url=http://www.secondsout.com/world-boxing-news/leading-world-news/lomanchenko-claims-fight-with-salido-is-set-for-march-1st-2014|title=Lomanchenko claims fight with Salido is set for March 1st 2014|work=SecondsOut Boxing News|access-date=2017-09-11|language=En|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911161851/http://www.secondsout.com/world-boxing-news/leading-world-news/lomanchenko-claims-fight-with-salido-is-set-for-march-1st-2014|archive-date=2017-09-11|url-status=live}} Lomachenko would earn $631,000, for what was his second professional bout.{{Cite web|url=http://tsmsportz.com/money/vasyl-lomachenko-net-worth/|title=Vasyl Lomachenko Net Worth 2018 Purse Per Fight|date=2017-12-03|website=TSM Sportz – All About Sports|access-date=2019-04-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415172909/http://tsmsportz.com/money/vasyl-lomachenko-net-worth/|archive-date=2019-04-15|url-status=live}}

Lomachenko seemed to shy away from engaging Salido throughout most of the fight, probably due to Salido landing numerous low blows and head-butts that the referee failed to call and/or deduct a point. A total of 52 low blows can easily be counted throughout the bout, something that his opponent exploited. A late surge, which saw him injure Salido in the final round, was unable to change the final result, losing by split decision. Two judges had it for Salido 116–112 and 115–113, while the third had it for Lomachenko 115–113. Lomachenko, for his part, stated he felt the decision was fair and accepted blame for not following through with his corner's game plan, promising to learn from the experience and come back stronger.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/10539265/orlando-salido-defeats-vasyl-lomachenko-12-rounds|title=Orlando Salido defeats Vasyl Lomachenko in 12 rounds|date=2014-03-03|publisher=Espn.go.com|access-date=2015-10-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313054413/http://espn.go.com/boxing/story/_/id/10539265/orlando-salido-defeats-vasyl-lomachenko-12-rounds|archive-date=2016-03-13|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.boxingscene.com/lomachenko-salido-decision-fair-i-blame-myself--75331|title=Lomachenko: Salido Decision Was Fair, I Blame Myself – Boxing News|date=6 March 2014 |publisher=Boxingscene.com|access-date=2015-10-10}} The referee of the fight, Laurence Cole, was roundly criticized by many boxing media outlets for his seemingly ignoring the very many foul blows by Salido, and his perceived failure to properly conduct the match.{{cite web |url=http://www.badlefthook.com/2014/3/2/5463492/learning-curve-vasyl-lomachenko-proves-quality-in-first-pro-loss |title=Learning Curve: Vasyl Lomachenko proves quality in first pro loss |publisher=Bad Left Hook |date=March 2, 2014 |access-date=June 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923192700/http://www.badlefthook.com/2014/3/2/5463492/learning-curve-vasyl-lomachenko-proves-quality-in-first-pro-loss |archive-date=September 23, 2015 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://ringtv.craveonline.com/news/323283-laurence-cole |title=Referee Laurence Cole discusses Orlando Salido-Vasyl Lomachenko |work=The Ring |date=March 6, 2014 |access-date=June 9, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712055417/http://ringtv.craveonline.com/news/323283-laurence-cole |archive-date=July 12, 2015 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/boxing/vasyl-lomachenko-lack-professional-experience-showed-remains-blue-033314295--box.html |title=What Vasyl Lomachenko's letdown Saturday means for his future |publisher=Yahoo! Sports |date=March 2, 2014 |access-date=January 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911162700/https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/boxing/vasyl-lomachenko-lack-professional-experience-showed-remains-blue-033314295--box.html |archive-date=September 11, 2017 |url-status=live }}

The WBO title remained vacant due to Salido not making weight. On 20 March 2014 the WBO contacted Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank to make them aware that they had 30 days to negotiate a fight between Lomachenko and Gary Russell Jr. (24–0, 14 KO) for the vacant WBO featherweight title. In an interview, WBO President Paco Valcarcel said that the fight should take place no later than July 2014.{{Cite news|url=https://www.ringtv.com/327117-wbo/|title=WBO orders Gary Russell Jr.-Vasyl Lomachenko for vacant title – The Ring|date=2014-03-20|work=The Ring|access-date=2017-09-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911025413/https://www.ringtv.com/327117-wbo/|archive-date=2017-09-11|url-status=live}} Purse bids were scheduled which Golden Boy won with a bid of $1,052,500, while Top Rank bid $1,050,000.{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/lomachenko-russell-golden-boy-wins-purse-bid--76842|title=Lomachenko-Russell: Golden Boy Wins The Purse Bid|website=BoxingScene.com|date=18 April 2014 |access-date=2019-04-15}} Lomachenko was entitled to $631,350 (60%) and Russell Jr. was entitled to $420,900 (40%). Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer challenged Lomachenko's residency. According to the WBO, "If the fight is held in the country of origin, residence or nationality of one of the contenders, the resident contestant shall receive 40 percent and his opponent shall receive 60 percent off the total purse offered." Schaefer claimed Lomachenko resided in Marina del Rey, California. It was later ascertained that Lomachenko had rented a home in California to live in while training, while Ukraine remained his permanent residence.{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/lomachenko-vs-russell-purse-split-examined--76987|title=Lomachenko vs. Russell Purse Split To Be Examined|website=BoxingScene.com|date=22 April 2014 |access-date=2019-04-15}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/blog/dan-rafael/post/_/id/8753|title=Lomachenko keeps 60 percent cut|date=2014-04-24|website=ESPN.com|access-date=2019-04-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415172952/http://www.espn.com/blog/dan-rafael/post/_/id/8753|archive-date=2019-04-15|url-status=live}}

The fight took place on 21 June at the StubHub Center in Carson, California. Lomachenko defeated Russell Jr. via twelve-round majority decision to win the vacant WBO featherweight title. Judge Lisa Giampa scored the fight a 114–114 draw, but judges Max DeLuca and Pat Russell scored the fight 116–112 in favor of Lomachenko.{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/photo-lomachenko-vs-russell-official-scorecards--79154|title=Photo: Lomachenko vs. Russell Official Scorecards|website=BoxingScene.com|date=22 June 2014 |access-date=2019-04-15}} Lomachenko used his power and swift skills to maintain control of the fight until the final bell. Lomachenko began to hurt Russell Jr. more in the later rounds with power shots. Russell Jr. landed only 10% of his punches thrown, with a lot of combinations being missed or blocked. Lomachenko landed 183 of 597 punches thrown (31%) and Russell Jr. landed 83 of his 806 thrown.{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/compubox-lomachenko-lands-53-his-power--79193|title=CompuBox: Lomachenko Lands 53% of His Power|website=BoxingScene.com|date=23 June 2014 |access-date=2019-04-15}} With this victory, Lomachenko joined Saensak Muangsurin as the only other boxer to have won a world title in the quickest amount of time since turning professional, accomplishing the feat in just his third professional bout.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/boxing/27962323 |title=Vasyl Lomachenko wins world title in third pro fight | publisher=BBC Sport Sport |date=June 21, 2014 |access-date=February 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509061118/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/boxing/27962323 |archive-date=May 9, 2015 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/11118465/vasyl-lomachenko-beats-gary-russell-jr-featherweight-title|title=Lomachenko captures title in third pro fight|publisher=ESPN|access-date=2017-09-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911025531/http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/11118465/vasyl-lomachenko-beats-gary-russell-jr-featherweight-title|archive-date=2017-09-11|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.badlefthook.com/2014/6/22/5831340/lomachenko-vs-russell-jr-results-vasyl-lomachenko-puts-on-clinic-in+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=uk|title=Lomachenko wins WBO title over Russell|work=Bad Left Hook|access-date=2017-09-10}} The fight averaged 578,000 viewers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/sho-6-21-triple-incredible-action-respectable-ratings--79234|title=SHO 6/21 Triple: Incredible Action, Respectable Ratings|website=BoxingScene.com|date=24 June 2014 |access-date=2019-04-15}}

Lomachenko made his first title defense against mandatory challenger Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo of Thailand. This fight took place on the undercard of Manny Pacquiao vs. Chris Algieri on HBO PPV bout on November 22, 2014, at the Cotai Arena, Venetian Resort in Macao. Although Piriyapinyo's record of 52 wins and 1 loss made the fight sound challenging for Lomachenko, the only time he stepped up in his 11-year career was in 2012 against Chris John, which he lost via unanimous decision.{{Cite news|url=http://www.boxingnews24.com/2014/08/vasyl-lomachenko-vs-chonlatarn-piriyapinyo-added-to-pacquiao-algieri-card-on-november-22nd/|title=Vasyl Lomachenko vs. Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo added to Pacquiao-Algieri card on November 22nd » Boxing News|date=2014-08-25|work=Boxing News 24|access-date=2017-09-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911161843/http://www.boxingnews24.com/2014/08/vasyl-lomachenko-vs-chonlatarn-piriyapinyo-added-to-pacquiao-algieri-card-on-november-22nd/|archive-date=2017-09-11|url-status=live}} Lomachenko handled his opponent easily, hurting him a few times and scoring a knockdown at the end of the fourth round. In the seventh round, Lomachenko stopped using his left hand; it was later confirmed that he injured that hand. Lomachenko won a unanimous decision with the scores of 120–107 on all three of the judges' scorecards.{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/11922476/vasyl-lomachenko-hurts-hand-wins-every-round-chonlatarn-piriyapinyo|title=Lomachenko hurts hand, still tops Piriyapinyo|publisher=ESPN|access-date=2017-08-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806144357/http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/11922476/vasyl-lomachenko-hurts-hand-wins-every-round-chonlatarn-piriyapinyo|archive-date=2017-08-06|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2277107-vasyl-lomachenko-vs-chonlatarn-piriyapinyo-winner-scorecard-twitter-reaction|title=Vasyl Lomachenko vs. Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo: Winner, Scorecard, Twitter Reaction|last=Mazique|first=Brian|work=Bleacher Report|access-date=2017-08-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806140928/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2277107-vasyl-lomachenko-vs-chonlatarn-piriyapinyo-winner-scorecard-twitter-reaction|archive-date=2017-08-06|url-status=live}} Lomachenko landed 368 of 1006 punches thrown (37%) and Piriyapinyo landed 94 of his 501 thrown (19%).{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/forums/view.php?pg=lomachenko-piriyapinyo-compubox|title=Lomachenko vs. Piriyapinyo – CompuBox|website=www.boxingscene.com|access-date=2019-04-15}}

It was announced prior to Lomachenko's mandatory fight against Piriyapinyo that the winner would next fight 28 year old Puerto Rican boxer Gamalier Rodríguez. Rodriguez earned the title shot after knocking out Martin Cardona.{{cite web|url=http://www.boxingscene.com/rodriguez-face-lomachenko-piriyapinyo-winner-2015--82872|title=Rodriguez to face lomachenko-piriyapinyo winner|date=October 5, 2014|website=Boxingscene.com|access-date=December 5, 2016}} The fight was announced to take place on 2 May 2015 on the under-card of Mayweather-Pacquiao at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Prior to the fight, Rodriguez was on a 17-fight winning streak dating back to 2010, where the fight resulted in a first round technical draw.{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/12710976/vasyl-lomachenko-defense-gamalier-rodriguez-added-floyd-mayweather-manny-pacquiao-undercard|title=Lomachenko defense added to Floyd-Manny card|publisher=ESPN|access-date=2017-09-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911161549/http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/12710976/vasyl-lomachenko-defense-gamalier-rodriguez-added-floyd-mayweather-manny-pacquiao-undercard|archive-date=2017-09-11|url-status=live}} Top Rank announced before the fight that Lomachenko had signed a five-year contract extension. On fight night, Lomachenko retained his WBO title against Rodriguez via a ninth-round KO victory. Lomachenko's speed and precision was too much for Rodriguez, who took a knee twice in the fight, once in the seventh and again in the ninth, which ended the bout. He was also docked a point by referee in fifth round for a low blow. Lomachenko landed 227 of 586 punches thrown (39%) compared to Rodriguez who landed only 55 of 285 (19%). After the fight, Lomachenko spoke through a translator about his performance, "I was just boxing for the fans, having a good time out there." Top Rank were hoping to match Lomachenko with then-WBA featherweight champion Nicholas Walters in a unification fight.{{cite web |url=http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/boxing/result/result-lomachenko-stops-rodriguez-to-retain-world-title_220692.html |title=Result: Vasyl Lomachenko stops Gamalier Rodriguez to defend WBO featherweight title |date=3 May 2015 |publisher=Sports Mole |access-date=2017-03-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701052600/http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/boxing/result/result-lomachenko-stops-rodriguez-to-retain-world-title_220692.html |archive-date=2017-07-01 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/12809519/lomachenko-stops-rodriguez-retains-126-pound-title|title=Lomachenko stops Rodriguez, retains his 126-pound title|publisher=ESPN|access-date=2017-09-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911162100/http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/12809519/lomachenko-stops-rodriguez-retains-126-pound-title|archive-date=2017-09-11|url-status=live}} Lomachenko had a $750,000 purse for the defence.

Lomachenko next fought on the Tim Bradley vs. Brandon Ríos undercard on HBO against #7 WBO ranked 24 year old Romulo Koasicha. The fight took place on 7 November 2015 at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Paradise, Nevada.{{Cite news|url=http://www.boxingnews24.com/2015/11/vasyl-lomachenko-vs-romulo-koasicha-in-mismatch-on-saturday/|title=Vasyl Lomachenko vs. Romulo Koasicha in mismatch on Saturday » Boxing News|date=2015-11-06|work=Boxing News 24|access-date=2017-09-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911162042/http://www.boxingnews24.com/2015/11/vasyl-lomachenko-vs-romulo-koasicha-in-mismatch-on-saturday/|archive-date=2017-09-11|url-status=live}} He overwhelmed, dominated and stopped Koasicha in the tenth round on a body shot. In the post fight interview, Lomachenko told of how he wanted to put on a good show, "I was just having fun in there, "If I really wanted to knock him out, I would have done it earlier. I was having a good time, but I knew the end would be on a body shot. I just didn't know which one." Lomachenko earned a career high $750,000 for the fight and out landed Koasicha by 259 punches. CompuBox stats showed that Lomachenko dominated throughout, landing 334 of his 717 punches thrown (47%). Koasicha only managed to land 75 of 607 (12%) and earned $35,000 for the loss. The loss ended Koasicha's run of 4 straight wins and he suffered his first stoppage defeat.{{cite web |url=http://www.skysports.com/boxing/news/12040/10061030/vasyl-lomachenko-stopped-romulo-koasicha-to-remain-wbo-lightweight-world-champion |title=Vasyl Lomachenko stops Romulo Koasicha to remain WBO featherweight world champion | Boxing News |work=Sky Sports |publisher=Sky Sports |access-date=2017-03-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706152001/http://www.skysports.com/boxing/news/12040/10061030/vasyl-lomachenko-stopped-romulo-koasicha-to-remain-wbo-lightweight-world-champion |archive-date=2017-07-06 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/14077738/vasyl-lomachenko-outclasses-romulo-koasicha-ko-victory|title=Vasyl Lomachenko outclasses Romulo Koasicha for KO victory|date=November 8, 2015|website=ESPN|access-date=December 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170308045539/http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/14077738/vasyl-lomachenko-outclasses-romulo-koasicha-ko-victory|archive-date=March 8, 2017|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/14077738/vasyl-lomachenko-outclasses-romulo-koasicha-ko-victory|title=Lomachenko outclasses Koasicha for KO victory|publisher=ESPN|access-date=2017-09-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911162104/http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/14077738/vasyl-lomachenko-outclasses-romulo-koasicha-ko-victory|archive-date=2017-09-11|url-status=live}}

Following a third successful defense, Lomachenko, still the reigning WBO featherweight champion decided to move up weight to junior lightweight to challenge Román Martínez for his WBO title on 11 June 2016 at the Madison Square Garden Theater. Martinez was coming off a draw against Orlando Salido in September 2015, after he controversially defeated him in their first fight in April 2015 for the WBO title.{{Cite news|url=http://www.boxingnewsonline.net/vasyl-lomachenko-will-move-up-to-fight-for-super-featherweight-world-title/|title=Vasyl Lomachenko will move up to fight for super-featherweight world title – Boxing News|date=2016-04-22|work=Boxing News|access-date=2017-09-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911162416/http://www.boxingnewsonline.net/vasyl-lomachenko-will-move-up-to-fight-for-super-featherweight-world-title/|archive-date=2017-09-11|url-status=live}} Lomachenko became the fastest boxer to win a world title in two weight divisions knocking out Martinez in the 5th round of the world title fight. Lomachenko dominated the fight from the start with superior footwork, hand speed and slick punching from different angles. According to CompuBox, Lomachenko out-landed Martinez 87 to 34. After the fight, Lomachenko called out Orlando Salido, "Hey Salido, I'm ready to fight you at any time, before the Vargas fight, I told him to win the fight but I never told him I wasn't going to fight him if he didn't, so let's do it. I want to revenge Salido for my fans and give them a win over him."{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/16138350/vasyl-lomachenko-ko-roman-rocky-martinez-junior-lightweight-debut|title=Lomachenko KO's Martinez for 130-pound title|website=ESPN.com|access-date=2016-06-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160613082250/http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/16138350/vasyl-lomachenko-ko-roman-rocky-martinez-junior-lightweight-debut|archive-date=2016-06-13|url-status=live|date=2016-06-12}} Lomachenko was paid $850,000 for the bout, at the time a career-high purse.

After failing to make the fight happen earlier in the year, Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti confirmed on September 28 that Lomachenko would defend his WBO title against 30 year old unbeaten Jamaican boxer Nicholas Walters at The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas on 26 November on HBO.{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/17654886/junior-lightweight-titlist-vasyl-lomachenko-nicholas-walters-agree-bout-nov-26|title=Lomachenko, Walters agree to bout on Nov. 26|access-date=2016-09-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160930093106/http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/17654886/junior-lightweight-titlist-vasyl-lomachenko-nicholas-walters-agree-bout-nov-26|archive-date=2016-09-30|url-status=live|date=2016-09-27}} In previous negotiations, Walters turned down a career-high $550,000 purse, even after Lomachenko offered him a further $300,000 from his own purse if Walters won. HBO provided the remainder of Walter's purse for the fight to go ahead. The event marked Bob Arum's 2,000th promoted card, as well as celebrating his 50th anniversary as a promoter.{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/18145591/junior-lightweight-titlist-vasyl-lomachenko-beats-nicholas-walters|title=Lomachenko dominates, forces Walters to quit|publisher=ESPN|access-date=2017-12-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203153918/http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/18145591/junior-lightweight-titlist-vasyl-lomachenko-beats-nicholas-walters|archive-date=2017-12-03|url-status=live}}

After Lomachenko dominated the first six rounds with his movement, he threw more combination punches in the seventh which left Walters visibly shaken. Lomachenko won the fight after Walters retired on his stool at the end of the seventh round. Upon returning to his corner, Walters got up and walked to referee Tony Weeks, where he reiterated twice he did not want to continue. A lot of boos followed the confirmation of the fight result as Walters seemed to back himself up for not returning for round 8, blaming his inactivity in the ring, "Listen to me, if I get the chance to fight two or three fights leading up to this fight, I'll definitely take him on in different circumstances where we are more active and definitely beat him but it was all him tonight... he fought me with three fights this year. So it was all him tonight... Nothing take away from him, he's a very good fighter, I learned a lot from fighting him and it was seven rounds of beautiful boxing until my corner decided to end it."{{cite web|url=http://www.badlefthook.com/2016/11/28/13763460/nicholas-walters-explains-decision-to-quit-against-vasyl-lomachenko|title=Nicholas Walters explains decision to quit against Vasyl Lomachenko|date=November 28, 2016|website=Badlefthook.com|access-date=November 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161129155731/http://www.badlefthook.com/2016/11/28/13763460/nicholas-walters-explains-decision-to-quit-against-vasyl-lomachenko|archive-date=November 29, 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.boxingscene.com/vasyl-lomachenko-dominates-stops-nicholas-walters-seven-results--111157|title=Vasyl Lomachenko dominates stops Nicholas Walters in seven|date=November 27, 2016|website=Boxingscene.com|access-date=November 29, 2016}}

CompuBox stats showed Lomachenko landed 114 of 437 punches thrown (26 percent) while Walters landed 49 of 264 (19 percent). Lomachenko earned his first $1 million purse. Following the post fight, Arum told ESPN, he would like to make a rematch with Salido next, followed by a lightweight title fight against Terry Flanagan and then a super fight with Manny Pacquiao. The fight drew 761,000 viewers on HBO.{{cite web|url=http://boxingjunkie.usatoday.com/2016/11/27/nicholas-walters-quits-after-vasyl-lomachenko-dishes-out-seven-round-boxing-lesson/|title=Nicholas Walters quits after Vasyl Lomachenko dishes out seven-round boxing lesson|date=November 27, 2016|website=Boxingjunkie.usatoday.com/|access-date=November 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161129072237/http://boxingjunkie.usatoday.com/2016/11/27/nicholas-walters-quits-after-vasyl-lomachenko-dishes-out-seven-round-boxing-lesson/|archive-date=November 29, 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.boxingscene.com/lomachenko-walters-hbo-broadcast-averaged-761000-viewers--111270|title=Loma-Walters HBO broadcast views|date=November 30, 2016|website=Boxingscene.com|access-date=December 1, 2016}}

On 2 February 2017, Bob Arum spoke to ESPN. After failing to make a match up with WBA (Super) champion Jezreel Corrales, he announced Lomachenko's next fight would take place on 8 April at the MGM National Harbor in Washington, D.C., in a super featherweight unification against WBA (Regular) champion Jason Sosa. This would have been Sosa's third defence of his secondary title, but on 16 February, he vacated the title.{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/18601680/vasyl-lomachenko-headed-april-8-title-defense-vs-jason-sosa|title=Lomachenko expected to defend title vs. Sosa|newspaper=ESPN.com|access-date=2017-02-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207032950/http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/18601680/vasyl-lomachenko-headed-april-8-title-defense-vs-jason-sosa|archive-date=2017-02-07|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.boxingscene.com/lomachenko-fight-jason-sosa-on-april-8-near-washington-dc--113222|title=Lomachenko to Fight Jason Sosa on April 8 Near Washington, D.C. – Boxing News|website=www.boxingscene.com|date=February 2017 |access-date=2017-02-08}}{{cite web|url=http://www.boxingscene.com/jason-sosa-vacates-wba-title-ahead-lomachenko-title-shot--113651|title=Jason Sosa Vacates WBA Title Ahead of Lomachenko Title Shot – Boxing News|website=www.boxingscene.com|date=15 February 2017 |access-date=2017-02-16}} Lomachenko weighed 129.6 pounds. Sosa weighed in at 130.4 pounds, he then stripped down naked and still over weighed at 130.2 and was given the time to trim the extra weight.{{cite web|url=http://www.boxingscene.com/lomachenko-weighs-1296-pounds-jason-sosa-misses-weight--115393|title=Lomachenko Weighs 129.6 Pounds; Jason Sosa Misses Weight – Boxing News|website=www.boxingscene.com|date=7 April 2017 |access-date=2017-04-08}} He later returned to the Maryland commission's scale and successfully made weight exactly 130 pounds allowing himself to challenge for the WBO title.{{cite web|url=http://www.boxingscene.com/sosa-makes-weight-upon-return-lomachenko-fight-title--115395|title=Sosa Makes Weight Upon Return; Lomachenko Fight for the Title – Boxing News|website=www.boxingscene.com|date=7 April 2017 |access-date=2017-04-08}} The fight headlined HBO World Championship Boxing. In front of a sell-out crowd of 2,828, mostly Ukrainian, Lomachenko successfully retained his WBO title for a second time after Sosa failed to return for round 10 when his trainer pulled him out. The bout was similar to Lomachenko's previous fight with Walters, who also pulled out. Lomachenko's flashy style and fast combinations won him the rounds. Sosa appeared more hurt in round 8 when he was hit hard on the body.{{cite web|url=http://www.boxingscene.com/vasyl-lomachenko-punishes-stops-jason-sosa-results--115440|title=Vasyl Lomachenko Punishes and Stops Jason Sosa – Boxing News|website=www.boxingscene.com|date=9 April 2017 |access-date=2017-04-09}}

Sosa was the most successful opponent Lomachenko had fought since Salido in terms of landing punches. He landed 68 of his 286 thrown (24%). Lomachenko landed 275 of 696 punches (40%). Sosa's trainer, Raul Rivas explained why he pulled him out of the fight, "It was an accumulation of too many punches. I didn't want to get Jason hurt. He was out of the fight." Lomachenko said he wanted to follow this victory by only fighting current world champions at super featherweight for a chance to unify the division or he would move up lightweight.{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/19115191/vasyl-lomachenko-dominates-jason-sosa-defend-junior-lightweight|title=Lomachenko easily handles Sosa to defend belt|publisher=ESPN|access-date=2017-04-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170409081724/http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/19115191/vasyl-lomachenko-dominates-jason-sosa-defend-junior-lightweight|archive-date=2017-04-09|url-status=live}} Lomachenko's purse for the fight was $800,000. The fight peaked at 886,000 viewers HBO and averaged 832,000 viewers. These numbers showed an increase in viewership for Lomachenko from his last fight on HBO against Walters.{{cite web|url=http://mmapayout.com/2017/04/lomachenko-on-hbo-draws-832000-viewers/|title=Lomachenko on HBO draws 832,000 viewers: MMAPayout.com: The Business of MMA|website=mmapayout.com|access-date=2017-04-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413185009/http://mmapayout.com/2017/04/lomachenko-on-hbo-draws-832000-viewers/|archive-date=2017-04-13|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.boxingscene.com/lomachenko-sosa-peaked-886k-viewers-on-hbo-averaged-832k--115509|title=Lomachenko-Sosa Peaked at 886K Viewers on HBO; Averaged 832K – Boxing News|website=www.boxingscene.com|date=11 April 2017 |access-date=2017-04-12}}

On 30 June 2017 Top Rank announced that a deal was in place for Lomachenko to make a third defense of his WBO title against Colombian former featherweight world title challenger Miguel Marriaga, who was coming off a loss and moving up to super featherweight. It was confirmed that the fight would take place live on ESPN on August 5, 2017, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/19771115/vasyl-lomachenko-terence-crawford-headline-live-espn-cards-august|title=Lomachenko, Crawford top live cards on ESPN|publisher=ESPN|access-date=2017-07-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702132734/http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/19771115/vasyl-lomachenko-terence-crawford-headline-live-espn-cards-august|archive-date=2017-07-02|url-status=live}} Carl Moretti of Top Rank stated that Salido had initially turned down a $720,000 purse to fight Lomachenko in a rematch. Even after negotiations to meet his financial needs, Salido still denied the offer due to other problems, mentioning weight and hand issues.{{cite web|url=http://www.boxingscene.com/lomachenko-marriaga-on-85-crawford-indongo-on-819-espn--118044|title=Lomachenko-Marriaga on 8/5, Crawford-Indongo on 8/19 – ESPN – Boxing News|website=www.boxingscene.com|date=30 June 2017 |access-date=2017-07-02}}{{cite web|url=http://www.boxingscene.com/top-rank-exec-salido-turned-down-720k-lomachenko-rematch--118047|title=Top Rank Exec: Salido Turned Down $720K for Lomachenko Rematch – Boxing News|website=www.boxingscene.com|date=30 June 2017 |access-date=2017-07-02}}

In front of 4,102 people, Lomachenko dominated the fight from the opening bell and proved too much for Marriaga, dropping him twice in the fight, before Marriaga's corner stopped the fight after round 7. Lomachenko retained his WBO title for the third time. The first knockdown came towards the end of the third round when Lomachenko landed a straight left to Marriaga, who was off balance. Marriaga got up straight away and didn't appear hurt. In the fourth round, an accidental clash of heads opened up a cut above Lomachenko's left eye. In the following round, Lomachenko protested to referee Jack Reiss, claiming he was being hit low and headbutted. In the seventh round, Lomachenko landed body shots and uppercuts, eventually dropping Marriaga for the second time with a left hook at 2 minutes and 59 seconds of round 7. Marriaga beat the count and walked towards his corner. The referee waved an end to the fight moments later. Although it was a corner retirement, the California State Athletic Commission ruled it a KO win.{{cite web|url=http://www.boxingscene.com/lomachenko-dominates-drops-stops-marriaga-seven-results--119213|title=Lomachenko Dominates, Drops, Stops Marriaga in Seven – Boxing News|website=www.boxingscene.com|date=6 August 2017 |access-date=2017-08-06}} Lomachenko earned a $750,000 purse for the fight, compared to the $50,000 received by Marriaga.{{Cite news|url=https://www.boxingnewsandviews.com/2017/08/06/vasyl-lomachenko-masterclass/|title=Twitter Reacts To Another Vasyl Lomachenko Masterclass|date=2017-08-06|work=Boxing News and Views|access-date=2017-08-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806191002/https://www.boxingnewsandviews.com/2017/08/06/vasyl-lomachenko-masterclass/|archive-date=2017-08-06|url-status=live}}

During the post fight interviews, Marriaga praised Lomachenko, "He dominated the fight. I connected with some good punches, but I couldn't get the result I was looking for. I wanted to continue the fight, but my corner stopped the fight. He basically overwhelmed me with pressure." Bob Arum also showed his admiration of Lomachenko, comparing him to former heavyweight world champion and legend Muhammad Ali, who had 27 of his professional fight promoted by Arum. He said "I never saw anything like this. He's unbelievable. Not only does he have the knowledge, he has the skill set that I've never seen before. Fast, reflexes, everything and he really entertains. Who else did that? Muhammad Ali."{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/20263145/vasyl-lomachenko-defeats-miguel-marriaga-tko-seventh-round|title=Lomachenko toys with Marriaga in TKO win|publisher=ESPN|access-date=2017-08-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806113247/http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/20263145/vasyl-lomachenko-defeats-miguel-marriaga-tko-seventh-round|archive-date=2017-08-06|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/boxing/news/12183/10976539/vasyl-lomachenko-stops-miguel-marriaga-to-retain-wbo-super-featherweight-title|title=Vasyl Lomachenko stops Miguel Marriaga to retain WBO super-featherweight title|publisher=Sky Sports|access-date=2017-08-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170806142416/http://www.skysports.com/boxing/news/12183/10976539/vasyl-lomachenko-stops-miguel-marriaga-to-retain-wbo-super-featherweight-title|archive-date=2017-08-06|url-status=live}} The fight averaged 728,000 viewers on ESPN. The move from HBO to ESPN was done to expose Lomachenko and gain more viewership, but was down by 104,000 compared to Lomachenko's last fight against Sosa on HBO. Viewership was adversely affected by a channel switch when the broadcast began and the time at which their main event started.{{cite web|url=http://www.boxingscene.com/lomachenko-marriaga-averaged-just-728000-viewers-on-espn--119287|title=Lomachenko-Marriaga Averaged Just 728,000 Viewers on ESPN – Boxing News|website=www.boxingscene.com|date=8 August 2017 |access-date=2017-08-17}}

{{Main|Vasiliy Lomachenko vs. Guillermo Rigondeaux}}

On 6 August, Arum stated that Lomachenko would fight for a third time in 2017, likely on 9 or 23 December. When asked who the potential options were, Arum stated, "Well, there's a few guys. (Guillermo) Rigondeaux if he answers Dino (Duva's) call. There's (Orlando) Salido, who's sniffing around and the third is (Miguel) Berchelt." Arum also mentioned lightweight contender Ray Beltrán, but said he would like to capture a world title at lightweight before a potential fight with Lomachenko.{{cite web|url=http://www.boxingscene.com/lomachenko-december-options-rigondeaux-salido-berchelt--119238|title=Lomachenko's December Options: Rigondeaux, Salido, Berchelt – Boxing News|website=www.boxingscene.com|date=6 August 2017 |access-date=2017-08-17}} Salido informed his manager Sean Gibbons, that he had no issues with fighting Lomachenko in December. Gibbons believed Lomachenko needed Salido more than Salido would need Lomanchenko, as Lomachenko was looking to raise TV ratings and sell out a 10,000 capacity arena.{{cite web|url=http://www.boxingscene.com/salido-no-problem-with-facing-lomachenko-december--119298|title=Salido Has No Problem With Facing Lomachenko in December – Boxing News|website=www.boxingscene.com|date=8 August 2017 |access-date=2017-08-17}} On 14 August, Arum spoke to LA Times and confirmed either Rigondeaux or Salido would be Lomachenko's next opponent. He stated if the bout with Rigondeaux was made, it would likely take place at the Madison Square Garden Theatre and a potential rematch with Salido would take place in Los Angeles.{{cite web|url=http://www.boxingscene.com/arum-rigondeaux-salido-lomachenkos-options-december-9--119488|title=Arum: Rigondeaux, Salido Are Lomachenko's Options for 12/9 – Boxing News|website=www.boxingscene.com|date=14 August 2017 |access-date=2017-08-17}}

On 21 August Arum stated the Lomachenko and Rigondeaux camps were closing in on finalizing a deal for December 9. A fight with the two-weight world champion and reigning super bantamweight title holder, a two-time Olympic Gold Medalist and one of the most successful amateur boxers ever, would take place at 130 pounds.{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/20401308/vasyl-lomachenko-guillermo-rigondeaux-camps-close-deal-dec-9-fight|title=Lomachenko, Rigondeaux camps close to deal|publisher=ESPN|access-date=2017-08-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822175118/http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/20401308/vasyl-lomachenko-guillermo-rigondeaux-camps-close-deal-dec-9-fight|archive-date=2017-08-22|url-status=live}} The fight was officially confirmed on 15 September.{{Cite web |url=https://www.badlefthook.com/2017/9/15/16316606/lomachenko-rigondeaux-set-for-december-9 |title=Lomachenko-Rigondeaux set for December 9 |access-date=2017-09-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916054045/https://www.badlefthook.com/2017/9/15/16316606/lomachenko-rigondeaux-set-for-december-9 |archive-date=2017-09-16 |url-status=live |date=2017-09-15 }} It was since confirmed that the fight would in fact be at the Theater, headlining an ESPN televised card.{{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/vasyl-lomachenko-vs-guillermo-rigondeaux-set-december-9|title=Vasyl Lomachenko vs. Guillermo Rigondeaux Set For December 9 {{!}} Fightful Boxing|website=www.fightful.com|access-date=2017-09-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923144756/https://www.fightful.com/vasyl-lomachenko-vs-guillermo-rigondeaux-set-december-9|archive-date=2017-09-23|url-status=live}} On 18 November, Carl Moretti of Top Rank revealed a re-hydration clause on the contract. Both fighters agreed to weigh in at 09:00 on the morning of the fight, where they would not be able to exceed 138 pounds. Any fighter over the limit would face a penalty of more than $10,000.{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/21449947/fight-vasyl-lomachenko-guillermo-rigondeaux-include-weight-check-day-fight|title=Weight check for Lomachenko and Rigondeaux|publisher=ESPN|access-date=2017-11-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171124000302/http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/21449947/fight-vasyl-lomachenko-guillermo-rigondeaux-include-weight-check-day-fight|archive-date=2017-11-24|url-status=live}} On fight night, Lomachenko weighed 137.4 pounds and Rigondeaux weighed 130 pounds.{{Cite news|url=https://www.boxingnewsandviews.com/2017/12/09/lomachenko-vs-rigondeaux-fight-day/|title=Watch: Lomachenko vs Rigondeaux Fight Day Weigh-In (Results)|date=2017-12-09|work=Boxing News and Views|access-date=2017-12-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171212032523/https://www.boxingnewsandviews.com/2017/12/09/lomachenko-vs-rigondeaux-fight-day/|archive-date=2017-12-12|url-status=live}}

In front of a sell-out crowd of 5,102 at the Theater, Lomachenko retained his WBO title, dominating the fight with superior boxing skills, forcing Rigondeaux to retire on his stool after round 6. Rigondeaux stated he had broken the top of his left hand in round two, which was the reason he did not come out for round 7. Rigondeax became Lomachenko's fourth consecutive opponent to retire on his stool. The loss also marked the first time Rigondeaux had lost since 2003, when he was still an amateur. At the time of stoppage, Lomachenko was ahead on all three judges' scorecards, 60–53, 59–54, and 59–54.{{Cite news|url=http://www.boxingscene.com/lomachenko-makes-rigondeaux-quit-six-tko-results--123275|title=Lomachenko Makes Rigondeaux Quit After Six For TKO Victory|work=BoxingScene.com|access-date=2017-12-11}}

In the post-fight interviews, Lomachenko was asked about Rigondeaux being his fourth consecutive opponent to retire on his stool, to which Lomachenko joked, "Maybe I should change my second name, now my name is 'No Mas Chenko'."{{Cite news|url=http://www.boxingscene.com/lomachenko-i-change-my-name-no-mas-chenko--123280|title=Lomachenko: I Should Change My Name To 'No Mas Chenko'|work=BoxingScene.com|access-date=2017-12-11}} {{Dead link|date=August 2021}} He also went on to say, "This is not his weight, so it's not a big win for me. But he's a good fighter. He's got great skills. I adjusted to his style, low blows and all." Speaking to an interpreter, Rigondeaux said, "I lost, no excuses. I injured the top of my left hand in the second round. He's a very technical fighter. He's explosive. I'm gonna come back because that's what I do. The weight was not a factor in this fight. It was the injury to my hand." According to CompuBox statistics, Lomachenko landed 55 of 339 punches thrown (16%) and Rigondeax landed 15 of his 178 thrown (8%), landing no more than 3 punches per round. For the fight, Lomachenko was guaranteed a purse of $1.2 million whereas Rigondeaux earned a $400,000 purse.{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/21723843/vasyl-lomachenko-beats-guillermo-rigondeaux-keep-wbo-junior-lightweight-title|title=Lomachenko wins after Rigondeaux hurts hand|publisher=ESPN|access-date=2017-12-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171212002709/http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/21723843/vasyl-lomachenko-beats-guillermo-rigondeaux-keep-wbo-junior-lightweight-title|archive-date=2017-12-12|url-status=live}} On December 12, Dino Duva of Roc Nation Sport, confirmed that Rigondeaux had bruised his hand and not fractured it, as initially stated.{{Cite news|url=http://www.boxingscene.com/rigondeauxs-left-hand-bruised-not-broken-lomachenko-loss--123357|title=Rigondeaux's Left Hand Bruised, Not Broken, in Lomachenko Loss|work=BoxingScene.com|access-date=2017-12-12}} The card averaged 1.73 million viewers on ESPN, which did not include ESPN Deportes or the online streaming service.{{Cite news|url=http://www.boxingscene.com/espn-loma-rigo-drew-173m-viewers-no-2-on-cable-2012--123354|title=ESPN's Loma-Rigo Drew 1.73M Viewers; No. 2 on Cable Since 2012|work=BoxingScene.com|access-date=2017-12-12}}

The Los Angeles Times{{'}} Lance Pugmire was told by Bob Arum on 26 January 2018 that Lomachenko would have his next fight at lightweight. Arum stated he was unable to make unification fights at super featherweight against WBC champion Miguel Berchelt and WBA titleholder Alberto Machado which was the main reason for the move up.

{{Main|Jorge Linares vs. Vasiliy Lomachenko}}

On 30 January, Arum told ESPN that negotiations had begun in December 2017 for a fight between Lomachenko and WBA, The Ring Magazine lightweight champion Jorge Linares after speaking to Teiken Promotions, Linares' lead promoter, with the fight to take place on either 28 April or 12 May 2018. The fight would main event an ESPN card.{{Cite news|url=https://www.badlefthook.com/2018/1/30/16949490/arum-negotiations-for-lomachenko-linares-underway+&cd=1&|title=Arum: Negotiations for Lomachenko-Linares underway|work=Bad Left Hook|access-date=2018-01-30}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/22260074/talks-underway-jorge-linares-face-vasiliy-lomachenko|title=Talks underway for Linares-Lomachenko fight|publisher=ESPN|access-date=2018-01-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180130182450/http://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/22260074/talks-underway-jorge-linares-face-vasiliy-lomachenko|archive-date=2018-01-30|url-status=live}} Arum was pushing for the fight to take place at Madison Square Garden on 12 May 2018. The reason behind the date was explained by Arum, "May 12th is an extraordinarily important date for ESPN programming. It's right in the middle of the basketball playoffs." Carl Moretti called Eric Gomez of Golden Boy informing them of the date. Gomez stated they were happy with the fight, however the date of 12 May was not a good date for them, as they already had plans for that date. HBO would likely air the pay-per-view replay of Gennady Golovkin vs. Canelo Álvarez rematch, along with a live bout.{{Cite news|url=http://www.boxingscene.com/arum-wants-bring-lomachenko-vs-linares-msg-on-12--125226|title=Arum Wants to Bring Lomachenko vs. Linares To MSG on May 12|work=BoxingScene.com|access-date=2018-02-14}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.boxingscene.com/golden-boy-prez-12-not-good-lomachenko-linares--125228|title=Golden Boy Prez: May 12 is NOT Good For Lomachenko-Linares|work=BoxingScene.com|access-date=2018-02-14}} On 17 February, Gomez stated the fight was not called off and Arum would need to be more flexible with the date as Golden Boy accepted Arum's terms that the fight would take place in New York.{{Cite news|url=http://www.boxingscene.com/golden-boy-prez-arum-flexible-make-loma-linares--125351|title=Golden Boy Prez: Arum Must Be Flexible To Make Loma-Linares|work=BoxingScene.com|access-date=2018-02-20}} On 13 March, Los Angeles Times confirmed that terms had been agreed between both sides. The agreement was reached after ESPN agreed to televise the fight at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, so it would broadcast before HBO's telecast on the same day. Madison Square Garden in New York City was confirmed as the venue.{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/22750675/jorge-linares-vasyl-lomachenko-fight-finalized-12-madison-square-garden|title=Sources: Linares-Lomachenko finalized for May|publisher=ESPN|access-date=2018-03-14}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/lomachenko-linares-fight-finalized-12-msg--126178|title=Report: Lomachenko-Linares Fight Finalized for May 12 at MSG|work=BoxingScene.com|access-date=2018-03-14}} On 21 March, the fight was officially announced.{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/22855370/jorge-linares-vasyl-lomachenko-fight-finalized-12-madison-square-garden|title=Linares-Lomachenko finalized for May 12|publisher=ESPN|access-date=2018-03-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321192718/http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/22855370/jorge-linares-vasyl-lomachenko-fight-finalized-12-madison-square-garden|archive-date=2018-03-21|url-status=live}} WBO president Francisco Valcarcel told Lomachenko, regardless of result, he would have 10 days to decide on whether he would return to super featherweight and defend his WBO or vacate.{{Cite news|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/lomachenko-win-lose-10-days-decide-on-wbo-belt--127972|title=Lomachenko, Win or Lose, Has 10 Days To Decide on WBO Belt|work=BoxingScene.com|access-date=2018-05-09}} Both boxers weighed in 134.6 pounds.{{Cite news|url=http://www.worldboxingnews.net/2018/05/12/news/linares-lomachenko-weigh-exactly-the-same-ahead-of-huge-pound-for-pound-clash|title=Linares, Lomachenko weigh EXACTLY THE SAME ahead of huge pound for pound clash|last=Hersh|first=Kid|work=WBN – World Boxing News|access-date=2018-05-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180512094805/http://www.worldboxingnews.net/2018/05/12/news/linares-lomachenko-weigh-exactly-the-same-ahead-of-huge-pound-for-pound-clash|archive-date=2018-05-12|url-status=live}}

In front of 10,429 in attendance, Lomachenko survived a knockdown in round 6 to win via TKO in round 10 after a perfectly placed liver shot to claim the WBA (Super) and The Ring lightweight titles. In doing so he became the fastest fighter ever to win titles in 3 different weight classes (only 12 professional fights) shattering the previous record of 20 held by Jeff Fenech. Lomachenko wore Linares down with his fast shots through the first 9 rounds, before finishing the fight in round 10. Linares slowly beat the count but looked too hurt to continue. Referee Ricky Gonzalez stopped the fight at 2 minutes, 8 seconds of round 10. The loss snapped Linares' 13-fight win streak.{{Cite news|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/lomachenko-gets-off-floor-knock-linares-out-tenth-results--128105|title=Lomachenko Gets Off The Floor To Knock Linares Out in Tenth|work=BoxingScene.com|access-date=2018-05-13}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.skysports.com/boxing/news/12183/11370144/vasyl-lomachenko-beats-jorge-linares-by-tko-to-win-wba-super-world-lightweight-title|title=Vasyl Lomachenko beats Jorge Linares by TKO to win WBA 'Super' world lightweight title|publisher=Sky Sports|access-date=2018-05-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513100808/http://www.skysports.com/boxing/news/12183/11370144/vasyl-lomachenko-beats-jorge-linares-by-tko-to-win-wba-super-world-lightweight-title|archive-date=2018-05-13|url-status=live}} At the time of stoppage, two judges had each fighter ahead 86–84 on their respective scorecards and the third judge Julie Lederman had it 85–85 even.{{Cite news|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/lomachenko-vs-linares-official-scorecards-photo--128108|title=Lomachenko vs. Linares – Official Scorecards – Photo|work=BoxingScene.com|access-date=2018-05-13}} After the fight, Lomachenko said, "It was a great fight. That right hand [that knocked me down], it was a great punch. It happens. I prepared for the last few rounds, and my father [and trainer Anatoly Lomachenko] told me, 'You need to go to the body.' Linares is a great champion, and the fight was good for the fans and everybody." Speaking of the knockout punch, Linares said it was 'perfectly landed.' De La Hoya also congratulated Arum on the fight and told Arum it was good experience working together. According to CompuBox Stats, Linares landed 207 of 739 punches thrown (28%), this included 139 power punches landed and a total amount of 77 body shots landed. Lomachenko landed 213 of 627 punches thrown (34%), with 112 jabs.{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/23485907/vasiliy-lomachenko-lomachenko-stops-jorge-linares-tko-10th-round|title=Lomachenko stops Linares with 10th-round TKO|publisher=ESPN|access-date=2018-05-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513080908/http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/23485907/vasiliy-lomachenko-lomachenko-stops-jorge-linares-tko-10th-round|archive-date=2018-05-13|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/lomachenko-vs-linares-compubox-punch-stats--128110|title=Lomachenko vs. Linares – CompuBox Punch Stats|work=BoxingScene.com|access-date=2018-05-13}} For the fight, Linares was paid a career high $1 million, with Lomachenko receiving a $1.2 million purse.{{Cite news|url=https://www.express.co.uk/sport/boxing/958728/Vasyl-Lomachenko-net-worth-Jorge-Linares-fight-boxing-news|title=Vasyl Lomachenko net worth: How much is the boxing pound-for-pound contender worth?|last=Mills|first=George|date=2018-05-13|work=Express.co.uk|access-date=2018-05-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180514095615/https://www.express.co.uk/sport/boxing/958728/Vasyl-Lomachenko-net-worth-Jorge-Linares-fight-boxing-news|archive-date=2018-05-14|url-status=live}} The card averaged 1,024,00 viewers.{{Cite news|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/lomachenko-linares-watched-by-average-audience-1024000--128180|title=Lomachenko-Linares Show Snags Average Audience of 1,024,000|work=BoxingScene.com|access-date=2018-05-16}} The fight itself averaged 1,439,000 viewers and peaked at 1,749,000 viewers, making it the most-watched boxing fight on cable television in 2018.{{Cite news|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/lomachenko-linares-peak-viewership-1749000-on-espn--128210|title=Lomachenko-Linares Had Peak Viewership of 1,749,000 on ESPN|work=BoxingScene.com|access-date=2018-05-17}} On 23 May, Lomachenko officially vacated his WBO super featherweight title.{{Cite news|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/lomachenko-gives-up-wbo-130-title-remains-lightweight--128443|title=Lomachenko Gives Up WBO 130 Title, Remains at Lightweight|work=BoxingScene.com|access-date=2018-05-24}}

After winning the WBA (Super) and The Ring lightweight titles, promoter Arum stated that Lomachenko would defend the belts on 25 August 2018 at The Forum in Inglewood, California. A possible unification with WBO titleholder Raymundo Beltran was a likely possibility.{{Cite news|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/arum-lomachenko-return-825-forum-opponent-tbd--128129|title=Arum: Lomachenko Will Return 8/25 at The Forum; Opponent TBD|work=BoxingScene.com|access-date=2018-05-14}} After vacating his WBO title, Arum stated Lomachenko would not fight on 25 August.{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/23598740/vasiliy-lomachenko-vacates-jr-lightweight-title-aug-25-return-off|title=Lomachenko officially vacates jr. lightweight belt|publisher=ESPN|access-date=2018-05-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180527120712/http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/23598740/vasiliy-lomachenko-vacates-jr-lightweight-title-aug-25-return-off|archive-date=2018-05-27|url-status=live}} It was later revealed that earlier in the bout against Linares, Lomachenko suffered a torn labrum in his right shoulder. He underwent surgery on 30 May at the Cedars-Sinai Kerlan-Jobe Institute in Los Angeles. According to Lomachenko, the shoulder popped out and then back in during the second round. A new return date of December 2018 was targeted.{{Cite news|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/lomachenko-out-indefinitely-with-labrum-surgery--128596|title=Lomachenko is Out Indefinitely With Labrum Surgery|work=BoxingScene.com|access-date=2018-05-30}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/23642505/vasiliy-lomachenko-undergoing-surgery-shoulder-injury|title=Lomachenko undergoing surgery on shoulder|publisher=ESPN|access-date=2018-05-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180603184523/http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/23642505/vasiliy-lomachenko-undergoing-surgery-shoulder-injury|archive-date=2018-06-03|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.boxingnewsonline.net/vasyl-lomachenko-surgery-update/|title=Vasyl Lomachenko surgery update – Boxing News|date=2018-05-31|work=Boxing News|access-date=2018-05-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180603153817/http://www.boxingnewsonline.net/vasyl-lomachenko-surgery-update/|archive-date=2018-06-03|url-status=live}} On 10 July, Lomachenko revealed he would return on 25 August. However, on 31 July, his manager Egis Klimas told The Boxing Beat on ESPN+, Lomachenko would make his ring return on 1 December. In the interview, he also stated it would likely be a unification fight against the winner of the Raymundo Beltran vs. José Pedraza bout, which was scheduled to be contested on 25 August.{{Cite news|url=http://www.boxingnewsonline.net/vasyl-lomachenko-reveals-shock-comeback-date/|title=Vasyl Lomachenko reveals shock comeback date – Boxing News|date=2018-07-10|work=Boxing News|access-date=2018-07-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710135414/http://www.boxingnewsonline.net/vasyl-lomachenko-reveals-shock-comeback-date/|archive-date=2018-07-10|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/24247503/vasiliy-lomachenko-return-ring-targeted-dec-1-manager-says|title=Lomachenko's return targeted for Dec. 1|publisher=ESPN|access-date=2018-08-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801124815/http://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/24247503/vasiliy-lomachenko-return-ring-targeted-dec-1-manager-says|archive-date=2018-08-01|url-status=live}} Pedraza defeated Beltran via unanimous decision, winning the WBO title and setting up a fight with Lomachenko.{{Cite news|url=https://www.worldboxingnews.net/2018082625419/news/jose-pedraza-dethrones-ray-beltran-sets-up-vasyl-lomachenko-unification-on-dec-1|title=Jose Pedraza dethrones Ray Beltran, sets up Vasyl Lomachenko unification on Dec 1|last=Results|first=Boxing|work=WBN – World Boxing News|access-date=2018-08-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180828170204/https://www.worldboxingnews.net/2018082625419/news/jose-pedraza-dethrones-ray-beltran-sets-up-vasyl-lomachenko-unification-on-dec-1|archive-date=2018-08-28|url-status=live}} In September, The Ring magazine announced the unification fight between Lomachenko and Pedraza would take place on 8 December 2018 at the Hulu Theatre in New York City.{{Cite news|url=https://www.badlefthook.com/2018/9/18/17873560/vasyl-lomachenko-to-unify-titles-with-jose-pedraza-dec-8|title=Vasyl Lomachenko to unify titles with Jose Pedraza, Dec. 8|work=Bad Left Hook|access-date=2018-09-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918213557/https://www.badlefthook.com/2018/9/18/17873560/vasyl-lomachenko-to-unify-titles-with-jose-pedraza-dec-8|archive-date=2018-09-18|url-status=live}}

For the first time as a professional, Lomachenko unified in a weight division as he beat Pedraza via unanimous decision to retain his WBA (Super) title and claim Pedraza's WBO lightweight title, before a sellout crowd of 5,312. Three judges scoring the bout 119–107, 117–109, and 117–109 in Lomachenko's favour. By mid-fight Lomachenko looked to have a solid lead on the cards, but the fight seemed closer in the ring. It was during the championship rounds where the fight came alive. Round 10 was arguably Pedraza's best as he landed a hard right hand to Lomachenko's body. He followed up with a few more bodyshots. Round 11, which was the round of the fight, saw Lomachenko come out quick and land a total of 42 power shots, his busiest round of the fight. In the middle of the round, Lomachenko shook Pedraza following a left hand, which eventually followed with a right hand to the body, dropping Pedraza. Although he beat the count, Pedraza was dropped a second time with over 10 seconds to go following a left to the body. Again, Pedraza beat the count and survived the round. Pedraza used the final round to stay out of reach and take Lomachenko the 12 round distance. The fight ended Lomachenko's 8-fight stoppage streak, in which he saw four consecutive opponents retire on their stool in between rounds.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/lomachenko-drops-pedraza-twice-results--134458|title=Lomachenko Drops Pedraza Twice, Wins Decision To Unify Titles|website=BoxingScene.com|date=9 December 2018 |access-date=2018-12-11}} According to CompuBox stats, Lomachenko landed 240 of 738 punches thrown (33%), and Pedraza landed a very low 111 of his 931 punches thrown (12%). 506 of Pedraza's shots thrown where jabs in which only 31 landed. Lomachenko landed 158 power punches throughout the fight.{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/25488476|title=Lomachenko dominates Pedraza to unify titles|date=2018-12-09|website=ESPN.com|access-date=2018-12-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215222857/http://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/25488476|archive-date=2018-12-15|url-status=live}}

In the post-fight interview, Lomachenko credited Pedraza as being a tough and tricky fighter, which is why he couldn't score the stoppage victory. He added, "It was my dream to unify titles. It was my next goal. I can now focus on my next chapter." Pedraza was happy with his performance and that he went "12 rounds with the best fighter in the world." He thought the fight was close up until round 11. Arum stated Lomachenko only wanted challenges going forward and would likely next fight in May 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/pedraza-im-proud-what-i-it-close-11th--134484|title=Pedraza: I'm Proud of What I Did, It Was Close Until The 11th|website=BoxingScene.com|date=9 December 2018 |access-date=2018-12-11}}{{cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/lomachenko-vs-pedraza-compubox-punch-stats--134460|title=Lomachenko vs. Pedraza – CompuBox Punch Stats|website=BoxingScene.com|date=9 December 2018 |access-date=2018-12-11}} The fight averaged 2,013,000 viewers, making it the second most-watched boxing match on American cable or network television in 2018. The fight peaked over 2.1 million viewers and the entire ESPN telecast averaged 1,865,000 viewers.{{cite news|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/loma-pedraza-averaged-2013000-viewers-ranks-2nd-2018--134532|title=Loma-Pedraza Averaged 2,013,000 Viewers; Ranks 2nd In 2018|work=BoxingScene.com|access-date=2018-12-12}} Lomachenko was guaranteed a purse of $1 million, rising to $2 million and Pedraza was guaranteed $350,000, potentially earning closer to $1 million.{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/25479081|title=No rancor as Lomachenko, Pedraza make weight|date=2018-12-07|website=ESPN.com|access-date=2018-12-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181216031445/http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/25479081|archive-date=2018-12-16|url-status=live}}

{{Main|Vasiliy Lomachenko vs. Anthony Crolla}}

Top Rank president Todd duBoef announced Lomachenko would return to the ring on 12 April 2019 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, headlining Friday night Top Rank Boxing on ESPN. With Richard Commey and Isa Chaniev set to fight for the vacant IBF lightweight title, it was highly likely that the winner would fight Lomachenko in what would be Lomachenko's second unification fight. Top Rank intended to finalize the deal with promoter Lou DiBella, which would see Commey vs. Chaniev take place on 2 February 2019 at the Ford Center in Frisco, Texas.{{cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/25514026|title=Top Rank: Lomachenko's return set for April 12|date=2018-12-12|website=ESPN.com|access-date=2018-12-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215222622/http://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/25514026|archive-date=2018-12-15|url-status=live}} By the end of January 2019, purse bids for Lomachenko vs. Anthony Crolla were pushed back two days to 6 February 2019 with the minimum bid being $150,000.{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/lomachenko-vs-crolla-purse-bid-pushed-back-february-6--135807|title=Lomachenko vs. Crolla Purse Bid Pushed Back To February 6|website=BoxingScene.com|date=29 January 2019 |access-date=2019-04-03}}

Commey defeated Chaniev to become the new IBF lightweight champion, however picked up a hand injury during the fight. His promoter Lou DiBella advised Top Rank, Commey would be out of training for a minimum of two months. This prompted Top Rank to start searching for a new opponent for Lomachenko.{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/commey-out-6-8-weeks-another-foe-sought-lomachenko--136096|title=Commey Out 6-8 Weeks, Another Foe Sought For Lomachenko|website=BoxingScene.com|date=8 February 2019 |access-date=2019-04-03}} On 20 February, it was announced that Lomachenko would defend his WBA (Super), WBO and The Ring titles against Crolla at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on 12 April 2019. The bout, including the full undercard would be streamed live and exclusive on ESPN+, to mark the one year anniversary of the streaming service. The bout would mark Crolla's first time fighting in the US, having only fought once previously outside of his native UK.{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/26033915|title=Lomachenko to defend title vs. Crolla on April 12|date=2019-02-20|website=ESPN.com|access-date=2019-04-03|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403170710/http://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/26033915|archive-date=2019-04-03|url-status=live}} It was reported that Lomachenko would earn $1.2 million, but guaranteed closer to $3.2 million. Crolla, who was a heavy 100-1 underdog, had an official purse of $300,000 for the fight, however guaranteed more due to UK TV rights.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmamania.com/2019/4/12/18308128/vasyl-lomachenko-vs-anthony-crolla-fight-purses-matrix-nabs-over-3-million-guaranteed-espn-boxing|title=Vasyl Lomachenko vs. Anthony Crolla fight purses: 'Matrix' nabs over $3 million in guaranteed money|last=Hiergesell|first=Dan|date=2019-04-12|website=MMAmania.com|access-date=2019-04-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414185814/https://www.mmamania.com/2019/4/12/18308128/vasyl-lomachenko-vs-anthony-crolla-fight-purses-matrix-nabs-over-3-million-guaranteed-espn-boxing|archive-date=2019-04-14|url-status=live}}

In front of 10,101 in attendance, Lomachenko stopped Crolla in the first minute of round 4.{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/26510649|title=Vasiliy Lomachenko shines again; who's next for 'Hi-Tech'?|date=2019-04-13|website=ESPN.com|access-date=2019-04-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413090428/http://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/26510649|archive-date=2019-04-13|url-status=live}} Lomachenko visibly started to out-throw Crolla during round 2. In round 3, Lomachenko became overwhelmingly dominant while forcing Crolla to spend a majority of his time against the ropes. With 11 seconds left in the round, Lomachenko's combination was interrupted by referee Jack Reiss.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mmamania.com/2019/4/13/18308880/knockout-watch-vasyl-lomachenko-obliterate-anthony-crolla-in-the-fourth-round-espn-top-rank-boxing|title=Highlights! Lomachenko Scores Face-Plant KO In Dominant Title Defense|last=Hiergesell|first=Dan|date=2019-04-13|website=MMAmania.com|access-date=2019-04-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413090427/https://www.mmamania.com/2019/4/13/18308880/knockout-watch-vasyl-lomachenko-obliterate-anthony-crolla-in-the-fourth-round-espn-top-rank-boxing|archive-date=2019-04-13|url-status=live}} At first glance, Lomachenko, and even the crowd, thought it looked as if Reiss had stopped the fight, causing Lomachenko to celebrate by jumping on the corner ropes. However, Reiss immediately corrected the misunderstanding and forced out commissioners who had climbed into the ring, and resumed the fight after a 10-second count for Crolla — although with 1 second left, the round effectively ended immediately. Between rounds 3 and 4, Reiss explained he'd not actually waved off the fight, and instead called a technical knockdown — he was seen immediately pointing and saying "down". He explained he was accounting for the ropes' aid to Crolla's ability to stand, since if the ropes had been absent Crolla would've been down and it is against the rules for a fighter to have any outside support in standing throughout the entire duration of the fight, thus justifying this rarely used but sanctioned technical knockdown. Because of this, Crolla continued on into round 4 where after briefly trying to rally back he was knocked down in second 52 by a right hook to the temple. Crolla fell to the canvas face-first, unable to break his fall. After what looked to be a 3 to 4 second count by Reiss, the fight was waved off, giving Lomachenko the win and retaining his sanctioned belts. Crolla was unable to participate in the post-fight interviews, but did not decide to immediately go to hospital.{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/boxing/news/12183/11692187/lomachenko-vs-crolla-anthony-crolla-knocked-out-by-pound-for-pound-king-vasyl-lomachenko|title=Lomachenko vs Crolla: Anthony Crolla knocked out by pound-for-pound king Vasyl Lomachenko|work=Sky Sports |access-date=2019-04-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416133434/https://www.skysports.com/boxing/news/12183/11692187/lomachenko-vs-crolla-anthony-crolla-knocked-out-by-pound-for-pound-king-vasyl-lomachenko|archive-date=2019-04-16|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/47918548|title=Anthony Crolla: Briton loses to Vasyl Lomachenko in Los Angeles|date=2019-04-13|access-date=2019-04-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414144727/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/47918548|archive-date=2019-04-14|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/lomachenko-demolishes-crolla-four-round-results--137911|title=Lomachenko Demolishes Crolla in Four Round Mismatch|website=BoxingScene.com|date=13 April 2019 |access-date=2019-04-15}} According to CompuBox Stats, Lomachenko landed 72 of 249 shots (29%), and Crolla landed only 12 of his 96 thrown (13%), this included 7 power shots, compared to Lomachenko's 58 power shots.{{Cite web|url=http://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/26510483|title=Lomachenko crushes Crolla by knockout in 4th|date=2019-04-13|website=ESPN.com|access-date=2019-04-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415172919/http://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/26510483|archive-date=2019-04-15|url-status=live}}

In the post-fight press conference, Lomachenko said he thought it was a clear waving of the fight by Reiss, who had his back to Lomachenko and entered the exchange in a manner intent on protecting Crolla.{{Citation|last=Fight Hub TV|title=THE FULL VASYL LOMACHENKO POST FIGHT PRESS CONFERENCE – LOMACHENKO VS CROLLA|date=2019-04-12|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cKDF17AZJc|access-date=2019-04-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190424004055/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cKDF17AZJc|archive-date=2019-04-24|url-status=live}}

{{Main|Vasiliy Lomachenko vs. Luke Campbell}}

Lomachenko faced fellow 2012 Olympic gold medallist Luke Campbell on 31 August 2019, at The O2 Arena in London in front of a sold-out crowd of over 18,000. Lomachenko retained the WBA, WBO and The Ring lightweight titles, and gained the vacant WBC lightweight title by defeating Campbell by unanimous decision.{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/boxing/2019/08/31/vasyl-lomachenko-beats-luke-campbell-add-wbc-lightweight-crown/ |title=Vasyl Lomachenko beats Luke Campbell to add WBC lightweight crown to his collection |access-date=2019-09-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901163743/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/boxing/2019/08/31/vasyl-lomachenko-beats-luke-campbell-add-wbc-lightweight-crown/ |archive-date=2019-09-01 |url-status=live |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=2019-08-31 |last1=Davies |first1=Gareth A. }} He was in fine form, winning by 119–108 on two judges' cards, and 118–109 on the other. Despite being a heavy underdog, Campbell started well and took the first round. Lomachenko soon found his groove, however, and almost had Campbell down in the 5th round but for the bell. Campbell took more shots in round 6, but fired back and the fight remained competitive. Lomachenko knocked down Campbell in the 11th round after a series of body shots followed by a stiff jab. Campbell beat the count, and ultimately survived the round and the fight, receiving credit after the bout for his resilience.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/boxing/49540076|title=Vasyl Lomachenko beats Luke Campbell to retain lightweight world titles|date=2019-08-31|access-date=2019-09-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831235132/https://www.bbc.com/sport/boxing/49540076|archive-date=2019-08-31|url-status=live}} In his in-ring interview, Lomachenko called for a lightweight unification fight with the winner of Richard Commey vs. Teófimo López, who contested for the IBF title in December.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dazn.com/en-US/news/boxing/vasiliy-lomachenko-adds-wbc-title-in-boxing-clinic-unanimous-decision-over-luke-campbell/3hdqifolj9fx18uhp2bw00z00|title=Vasiliy Lomachenko adds WBC title, puts on boxing clinic in unanimous decision over Luke Campbell {{!}} DAZN News US|website=DAZN|date=September 2019 |access-date=2019-09-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190901170114/https://www.dazn.com/en-US/news/boxing/vasiliy-lomachenko-adds-wbc-title-in-boxing-clinic-unanimous-decision-over-luke-campbell/3hdqifolj9fx18uhp2bw00z00|archive-date=2019-09-01|url-status=live}}

{{Main|Vasiliy Lomachenko vs. Teófimo López}}

In September 2020, Lomachenko agreed to fight newly crowned undefeated IBF lightweight champion, Teófimo López, on 17 October 2020 at the MGM Grand Conference Center in Paradise, Nevada. With no live audience, Lomachenko suffered the second defeat of his career, losing by UD with the scorecards reading 116–112, 117–111, and 119–109.{{cite web |title=Teofimo Lopez vs. Vasiliy Lomachenko – Official Scorecards |url=https://www.boxingscene.com/teofimo-lopez-vs-vasiliy-lomachenko-official-scorecards--152554 |website=Boxing Scene |date=18 October 2020 |access-date=23 October 2020}} Judge Julie Lederman's scorecard of 119–109, giving Lomachenko only a single round, received significant controversy.{{cite web |last1=Esco |first1=Wil |title=Vasiliy Lomachenko's manager takes issue with Lederman scorecard in Teofimo Lopez fight |url=https://www.badlefthook.com/2020/10/21/21527883/vasiliy-lomachenkos-manager-takes-issue-with-lederman-scorecard-in-teofimo-lopez-fight |website=Bad Left Hook |date=21 October 2020 |access-date=23 October 2020}}{{Cite web|last=Kim|first=Steve|date=21 October 2020|title=Lomachenko's manager not happy with judge|url=https://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/30157862/vasiliy-lomachenko-manager-upset-judge-julie-lederman-scoring|access-date=25 October 2020|website=ESPN}}{{Cite web|last=Idec|first=Keith|date=19 October 2020|title=Bob Arum: Lopez Won The Fight – But Those Scores Were Ridiculous!|url=https://www.boxingscene.com/bob-arum-lopez-won-fight-but-those-scores-ridiculous--152575|access-date=25 October 2020|website=BoxingScene.com}} The first seven rounds saw López staying behind his jab and going to the body, with Lomachenko offering little in response. In the second half, Lomachenko started coming out more offensively, landing more punches. In the final round, López landed 50 of 98 punches thrown (51%), the most an opponent has landed on Lomachenko in a round. According to CompuBox stats, Lomachenko landed 141 of 321 thrown (44%), while López landed 183 of 659 thrown (28%).{{cite web |title=CompuBox Punch Stats – Boxing News |url=https://www.boxingscene.com/teofimo-lopez-vs-vasiliy-lomachenko-compubox-punch-stats--152555 |website=Boxing Scene |date=18 October 2020 |access-date=23 October 2020}} Days after the fight, Lomachenko underwent surgery on his right shoulder.{{Cite web |title=Vasiliy Lomachenko undergoes shoulder surgery after losing lightweight titles to Teofimo Lopez |url=https://www.cbssports.com/boxing/news/vasiliy-lomachenko-undergoes-shoulder-surgery-after-losing-lightweight-titles-to-teofimo-lopez/ |access-date=2022-09-30 |website=CBSSports.com |date=20 October 2020 }}

López declined to give Lomachenko a rematch, explaining that "everybody [in Lomachenko's camp] was being a dick to me, my father. He [Lomachenko] didn't want to put a rematch clause in our contract."{{Cite web|title=Teofimo Lopez again refuses to give Vasyl Lomachenko a rematch {{!}} DAZN News UK|url=https://www.dazn.com/en-GB/news/boxing/teofimo-lopez-again-refuses-to-give-vasyl-lomachenko-a-rematch/ikfswn3xao7d11cuoyei3a4y1|access-date=2021-04-28|website=DAZN|date=8 January 2021 }}

{{Main|Vasiliy Lomachenko vs. Masayoshi Nakatani}}

Lomachenko made his comeback in a fight against Masayoshi Nakatani on 26 June 2021.{{Cite web|title=Vasiliy Lomachenko to return to the ring against Masayoshi Nakatani on June 26 {{!}} DAZN News Laos|url=https://www.dazn.com/en-LA/news/boxing/vasiliy-lomachenko-to-return-to-the-ring-against-masayoshi-nakatani-on-june-26/tgcuwut7t9u91v1ww883lwhb2|access-date=2021-04-28|website=DAZN|date=26 April 2021 }} Lomachenko and Nakatani both shared a common loss to undefeated unified lightweight champion Teófimo López, which Lomachenko cited as the reason why he chose Nakatani as his next opponent, saying, "I want to compare myself with this guy, he was close with [López] in their fight."{{Cite web|title=Lomachenko Wants To Beat Nakatani More Decisively Than Teofimo — Boxing News|url=https://www.boxing247.com/boxing-news/179295/179295|access-date=2021-06-11|website=www.boxing247.com|date=24 May 2021}} The fight against Nakatani was only the second fight of Lomachenko's career in which a world title was not at stake, after his professional debut against José Luis Ramírez in 2013.{{Cite web|title=BoxRec: Vasyl Lomachenko|url=https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/659771|access-date=2021-06-15|website=boxrec.com}} On the night, Lomachenko scored a knockdown in the fifth round en route to a ninth-round technical knockout victory. After the fight, he made clear his intentions of wanting to rematch López in the winter, saying, "December, January, February. I'm waiting."{{Cite web|title=Vasiliy Lomachenko dazzles in return, stops Masayoshi Nakatani in the ninth round {{!}} DAZN News US|url=https://www.dazn.com/en-US/news/boxing/vasiliy-lomachenko-vs-masayoshi-nakatani-live-updates-results-and-highlights-from-the-full-card/tnss88yzjodr171cayhg3mxra|access-date=2021-06-27|website=DAZN|date=27 June 2021 }}

{{Main|Vasiliy Lomachenko vs. Richard Commey}}

In an attempt to put his name back into contention for a shot at his old titles, Lomachenko agreed to face former IBF lightweight champion, Richard Commey, on 11 December 2021 in New York. On fight night, Lomachenko dropped Commey in the seventh round courtesy of a left hook, later pleading with the corner of the still unsteady Commey to stop the fight. They refused, and Commey survived and went the full 12 rounds, with the judges scoring it 119–108, 119–108, and 117–110, all for Lomachenko. When asked about fighting newly crowned unified lightweight champion, George Kambosos Jr., who had upset Teofimo Lopez a few weeks previously, Lomachenko jumped at the idea, stating that he 'needs this chance' and would be willing to fly to Australia if necessary.{{Cite web|title=Vasiliy Lomachenko dazzles in dominating unanimous decision win over Richard Commey {{!}} DAZN News US|url=https://www.dazn.com/en-US/news/boxing/vasiliy-lomachenko-vs-richard-commey-live-updates-results-highlights-from-the-main-card/enut06qenp21154rxe9wt77gc|access-date=2021-12-12|website=DAZN|date=12 December 2021 }} However, on 24 February 2022 Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine and Lomachenko returned to his home country to aid in the war effort. On 20 March, Lomachenko was given permission to leave Ukraine in order to face George Kambosos Jr. in Australia. However, he declined, opting to stay and fight for his country.{{Cite news |last=Treisman |first=Rachel |date=22 March 2022 |title=A top Ukrainian boxer is choosing his country over an upcoming title fight |work=NPR |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/03/22/1088055416/ukraine-boxer-lomachenko-skips-fight |access-date=22 March 2022}} Kambosos Jr. instead lost his titles to WBC champion Devin Haney, who thereby became the undisputed lightweight champion.{{Cite news |date=2022-06-05 |title=Devin Haney ends George Kambosos' reign with unanimous decision in Melbourne |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-06-05/george-kambosos-vs-devin-haney-undisputed-boxing-live-updates/101127004 |access-date=2022-10-31}}

On 7 July 2022, Top Rank president, Todd DuBoef, indicated Lomachenko was planning a return to the boxing ring in October.{{Cite web |date=2022-07-07 |title=DuBoef: Lomachenko eying October return to ring |url=https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/34207875/top-rank-president-todd-duboef-vasiliy-lomachenko-return-soon-october |access-date=2022-07-11 |website=ESPN.com }} 29 October 2022 saw Lomachenko step back into the ring to face former sparring partner, 26 year old undefeated Jamaine Ortiz. After a very competitive 12 round battle, Lomachenko emerged victorious with a unanimous decision, the three judges scoring the fight 115–113, 116–112, and 117–111. With the win, Lomachenko was poised to next challenge undisputed champion Devin Haney, who was ringside for the fight and expressed interest in fighting Lomachenko.{{Cite web |title=Vasiliy Lomachenko wins thrilling return to boxing against Jamaine Ortiz, targets champion Devin Haney next |work=Sky Sports |url=https://www.skysports.com/boxing/news/12183/12733856/vasiliy-lomachenko-wins-thrilling-return-to-boxing-against-jamaine-ortiz-targets-champion-devin-haney-next |access-date=2022-10-31 }}

{{Main|Devin Haney vs Vasiliy Lomachenko}}

On 29 March 2023, it was confirmed that Lomachenko would take on undisputed lightweight champion Devin Haney on 20 May 2023 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.{{Cite web |title=Devin Haney vs Vasiliy Lomachenko undisputed world title fight confirmed for Las Vegas on May 20, live on Sky Sports |work=Sky Sports

|url=https://www.skysports.com/boxing/news/12040/12844373/devin-haney-vs-vasiliy-lomachenko-undisputed-world-title-fight-confirmed-for-las-vegas-on-may-20-live-on-sky-sports

|access-date=April 2, 2023 }} With Lomachenko coming in as the underdog for the first time in his career, much of the bout turned out to be closely contested, with both men finding success, Lomachenko scoring with clean combinations to the head, while Haney countered consistently with solid body shots. Late in the fight, Lomachenko became increasingly dominant, finding particular success in the 10th and 11th rounds. However, Haney rallied to win the final round on all three judges' scorecards.{{Cite web |last=Khatwani |first=Shivam |date=2023-05-21 |title=Who is Dave Moretti? Boxing judge goes viral for absurd scoring in Devin Haney fight |url=https://www.sportskeeda.com/mma/news-who-dave-moretti-boxing-judge-goes-viral-absurd-scoring-devin-haney-fight |access-date=2023-05-23 |website=www.sportskeeda.com |language=en-us}}{{Cite web |date=2023-05-21 |title=Haney edges Lomachenko to remain undisputed |url=https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/37697336/devin-haney-edges-vasiliy-lomachenko-retain-undisputed-title |access-date=2023-05-23 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=CompuBox |date=2023-05-21 |title=Devin Haney-Vasiliy Lomachenko: CompuBox Punch Stats |url=https://www.boxingscene.com/devin-haney-vasiliy-lomachenko-compubox-punch-stats--174775 |access-date=2023-05-23 |website=BoxingScene.com |language=en-us}}{{Cite web |date=2023-05-21 |title=Devin Haney vs. Vasiliy Lomachenko results, takeaways: Fight was no robbery; 'Loma' puts out best performance |url=https://www.cbssports.com/boxing/news/devin-haney-vs-vasiliy-lomachenko-results-takeaways-fight-was-no-robbery-loma-puts-out-best-performance/ |access-date=2023-05-23 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}

Ultimately, Lomachenko suffered his third professional defeat, losing via unanimous decision with scores of 116–112, 115–113 and 115–113, all in favor of the champion Haney who retained his world titles.{{Cite news |title=Haney beats Lomachenko to retain world titles |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/boxing/65620856 |access-date=2023-05-21}} However, the decision was greatly disputed, as many onlookers felt Lomachenko had done enough to win, including fellow boxers Shakur Stevenson and Jorge Linares, who had previously predicted a Haney victory.{{Cite news |date=2023-05-21 |title='The biggest robbery': Lomachenko loses controversial decision to Haney |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/may/21/haney-wins-disputed-decision-over-lomachenko-to-retain-lightweight-titles |access-date=2023-05-23 |issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite web |last=TV |first=Ring |date=2023-05-22 |title=Who do you think won Haney-Lomachenko? |url=https://www.ringtv.com/653333-who-do-you-think-won-haney-lomachenko/ |access-date=2023-05-23 |website=The Ring}}{{Cite web |last=Themistode |first=Hans |date=2022-11-01 |title=Shakur Stevenson Gives Lomachenko No Chance Against Devin Haney: 'Dev Smokes Him' |url=https://www.boxingscene.com/shakur-stevenson-gives-lomachenko-no-chance-against-devin-haney-dev-smokes-him--170135 |access-date=2023-05-23 |website=BoxingScene.com |language=en-us}}{{Cite web |last=April 2023 |first=Danny Gilfillan on 26th |date=2023-04-26 |title=Haney-Lomachenko Prediction From The Only Man To Fight Both |url=https://boxing-social.com/news/haney-lomachenko-prediction-past-opponent/ |access-date=2023-05-23 |website=boxing-social.com |language=en-US}} Judge Dave Moretti's scorecard, giving round 10 to Haney despite Lomachenko dominating that round, was heavily criticised.{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=BoxingScene |date=2023-05-21 |title=Teddy Atlas Wants Judge Moretti To Appear Before NSAC To Explain Haney-Loma Scoring |url=https://www.boxingscene.com/teddy-atlas-wants-judge-moretti-appear-nsac-explain-haney-loma-scoring--174789 |access-date=2023-05-23 |website=BoxingScene.com |language=en-us}} Others argued that as the fight had been close, a narrow result for Haney was not unreasonable. CompuBox punch stats suggested Lomachenko had landed 124 of 564 punches thrown (22%), while Haney landed 110 of 405 (27%), with both boxers outlanding the other in five rounds each, the other two rounds being even. Lomachenko believed he had won and his team subsequently stated they would file an appeal regarding the result. Haney on his part praised Lomachenko, calling him his toughest opponent yet.

Regardless of the result, the fight and the performances of both men were widely praised. It was described by multiple accounts as "thrilling", with Lomachenko's display against a substantially younger and larger opponent being highly lauded.

On May 12, 2024 in Perth, Australia, Lomachenko was scheduled to fight former unified lightweight champion George Kambosos Jr. for the vacant IBF lightweight title.{{cite news |last1=Iskenderov |first1=Parviz |title=Vasyl Lomachenko faces George Kambosos for title in Australia |url=https://www.fightmag.com/vasyl-lomachenko-faces-george-kambosos-for-world-title-in-australia/ |work=FIGHTMAG |date=15 January 2024}}{{cite news |title=Sources: Lomachenko-Kambosos set for May 12 |url=https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/39308945/vasiliy-lomachenko-george-kambosos-fight-set-12 |work=ESPN.com |date=14 January 2024 |language=en}} In one of his most dominant performances of recent years, Lomachenko won the fight by TKO in the 11th round, dropping Kambosos once with body shots before downing him again soon after with a continued body attack, after which the referee stopped the fight, with Kambosos' corner throwing in the towel at the same time. According to CompuBox, Kambosos landed just 40 of his 371 punches (11%), compared to Lomachenko's 175 of 480 (37%).{{cite news |last1=Iskenderov |first1=Parviz |title=Photos: Vasiliy Lomachenko drops & stops George Kambosos Jr to regain world title |url=https://www.fightmag.com/photos-vasiliy-lomachenko-drops-stops-george-kambosos-jr-to-regain-world-title/ |work=FIGHTMAG |date=12 May 2024}}{{Cite web |date=2024-05-12 |title=Lomachenko evokes 'No Mas-Chenko': What's next for Kambosos? |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/boxing/story/_/id/40128482/now-george-kambosos |access-date=2024-05-26 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}}

Following Lomachenko's victory over Kambosos, discussions for a unification bout against undefeated WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis commenced, with both sides initially showing interest. However, in July 2024, Lomachenko's manager Egis Klimas announced that talks had been cut short, due to Lomachenko refusing the fight: "Loma is not in the mood right now, he doesn't have the motivation at the moment. He's taking off, he wants to spend more time with the family. He doesn't want to do anything until the end of the year. So he's definitely not coming to the ring until the end of the year."{{Cite web |date=2024-07-21 |title=Gervonta Davis vs Vasyl Lomachenko negotiations collapse for surprising reason |url=https://talksport.com/sport/1974770/gervonta-davis-vasyl-lomachenko-negotiations-collapse-reason-shakur-stevenson/ |access-date=2024-08-07 |website=talkSPORT |language=en-gb}}{{Cite web |last=Chiari |first=Mike |title=Gervonta Davis, Vasiliy Lomachenko Break Off Contract Talks for 2024 Boxing Fight |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10128972-gervonta-davis-vasiliy-lomachenko-break-off-contract-talks-for-2024-boxing-fight |access-date=2024-08-07 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}}

Lomachenko is married to Olena, and they have two children.{{Cite web|url=https://heavy.com/sports/2019/04/vasyl-lomachenko/|title = Vasyl Lomachenko: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know|date = 12 April 2019}} As of 2019{{cite web |last1=Francisco |first1=Salazar |date=11 April 2019 |title=Los Angeles on Friday Night |url=https://eu.vcstar.com/story/sports/2019/04/12/lomachenko-defend-titles-los-angeles-friday-night/3441771002/ |publisher=Ventura County Star |access-date=30 August 2019}} (and since at least 2016),{{cite web |last1=State of Nevada |date=26 November 2016 |title=Boxing Show Results |url=http://boxing.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/boxingnvgov/content/results/2016_Results/11-26-16R.pdf |publisher=State of Nevada |access-date=30 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190830140158/http://boxing.nv.gov/uploadedFiles/boxingnvgov/content/results/2016_Results/11-26-16R.pdf |archive-date=30 August 2019 |url-status=live }} he lives in Camarillo, California, and trains in nearby Oxnard, just north of Los Angeles.{{cite web |last1=Francisco |first1=Salazar |date= 12 April 2019 |title=Lomachenko Aims For Fireworks, Excitement in No-Win Situation |url=https://www.boxingscene.com/lomachenko-aims-fireworks-excitement-no-win-situation--137890 |website=BoxingScene.com |access-date=30 August 2019}}

The face tattooed on Lomachenko's torso is that of his father and trainer, Anatoly Lomachenko.{{cite magazine |last1=Greg |first1=Bishop |date=17 December 2018 |title=SI's 2018 Boxing Trainer of the Year: 'Papachenko' |url=https://www.si.com/boxing/2018/12/17/anatoily-lomacheko-papachenko-boxing-trainer-of-the-year |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=30 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190830141208/https://www.si.com/boxing/2018/12/17/anatoily-lomacheko-papachenko-boxing-trainer-of-the-year |archive-date=30 August 2019 |url-status=live }}

During the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Lomachenko joined the Ukrainian army on paper.[https://metro.co.uk/2022/02/27/vasiliy-lomachenko-enlists-with-ukrainian-forces-to-fight-russia-invasion-16184752/ Boxing pound-for-pound great Vasiliy Lomachenko enlists with Ukrainian forces to fight Russia invasion], Metro (27 February 2022) Lomachenko was in Greece when the invasion began (on 24 February 2022), and his flight home to Ukraine the next day was delayed due to air traffic being grounded. He managed to get into Ukraine by flying to Bucharest and travelling through Romania on 26 February 2022. He followed Ukrainian brothers Wladimir Klitschko and Vitali Klitschko, former heavyweight boxing champions, who also announced their pledge to protect the capital of Ukraine, Kyiv, in February 2022.{{Cite web |title=The Klitschko brothers, former heavyweight champion boxers, plan to take up arms and fight for Ukraine |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/vitali-klitschko-wladimir-klitschko-ukraine-russia-kyiv-mayor/ |access-date=2022-02-28 |website=www.cbsnews.com |date=25 February 2022 }} Upon his return to Ukraine,[https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/33388013/top-boxer-vasiliy-lomachenko-joins-terror-defense-battalion-ukraine Top boxer Vasiliy Lomachenko joins territorial defense battalion in Ukraine], ESPN (28 February 2022) Lomachenko joined the territorial defense battalion of his hometown of Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi on 27 February 2022.

Lomachenko is known for his exceptional footwork, head movement, speed, ability to switch stances, and skill at throwing punches at uncanny angles.[https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/37697336/devin-haney-edges-vasiliy-lomachenko-retain-undisputed-title] Devin Haney edges Vasiliy Lomachenko to retain undisputed title, ESPN, May 21, 2023 Lomachenko's inspirations include Muhammad Ali,{{cite web |title=Lomachenko about Muhammad Ali |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4x4T7CGGlA |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/C4x4T7CGGlA| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|website=YouTube |publisher=VideoBoxing |date=June 7, 2016 |access-date=17 March 2020}}{{cbignore}} Mike Tyson, and Roy Jones Jr.{{cite web |title=Vasyl Lomachenko rejects being compared to Muhammad Ali |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6BsvftVm1Q |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/K6BsvftVm1Q| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|website=YouTube |publisher=Fight Hub TV |date=December 6, 2017 |access-date=17 March 2020}}{{cbignore}}

{{BoxingRecordSummary

|draws=

|nc=

|ko-wins=12

|dec-wins=6

|dec-losses=3

|dq-wins=

|dq-losses=

}}

• WBO featherweight champion (126 lbs)
• WBO super featherweight champion (130 lbs)
• WBA (Super) lightweight champion (135 lbs)
• WBC lightweight champion (135 lbs)
• IBF lightweight champion (135 lbs)
• WBO lightweight champion (135 lbs)

• The Ring lightweight champion (135 lbs)

• WBO International featherweight champion (126 lbs)
• WBO Inter-Continental lightweight champion (135 lbs)

• WBC Franchise lightweight champion
• WBA Man of Triumph Gold champion
• WBO Super Champion

• Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year: 2017
• Sugar Ray Robinson Award: 2017
• WBN Fighter of the Year: 2016

• List of featherweight boxing champions
• List of super-featherweight boxing champions
• List of lightweight boxing champions
• List of boxing triple champions

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{Boxrec|id=659771}}
• {{Olympedia}}
• {{cite web|url=http://www.boxing-scoop.com/show_boxer.php?boxer_ID=8586|title=Vasiliy Lomachenko's amateur boxing record|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925104414/http://www.boxing-scoop.com/show_boxer.php?boxer_ID=8586|archive-date=2018-09-25|url-status=unfit}}

{{s-start-collapsible|header={{s-sports}} }}

{{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=Regional boxing titles}}

{{s-bef|before=José Ramírez}}

{{s-ttl|title=WBO International
featherweight champion

|years=12 October 2013 – February 2014
Vacated}}

{{s-vac|next=Marvin Sonsona}}

{{s-break}}

{{s-vac|last=Francesco Patera}}

{{s-ttl|title=WBO Inter-Continental
lightweight champion

|years=11 December 2021 – April 2022
Vacated}}

{{s-vac|next=Isaac Cruz}}

{{s-text|style=background:#C1D8FF; font-weight: bold;|text=Major world boxing titles}}

{{s-break}}

{{s-vac|last=Orlando Salido}}

{{s-ttl|title=WBO featherweight champion

|years=21 June 2014 – 21 July 2016
Vacated}}

{{s-vac|next=Óscar Valdez}}

{{s-bef|before=Román Martínez}}

{{s-ttl|title=WBO junior lightweight champion

|years=11 June 2016 – 23 May 2018
Vacated}}

{{s-vac|next=Masayuki Ito}}

{{s-break}}

{{s-vac|last=Juan Manuel Márquez}}

{{s-ttl|title=WBA lightweight champion
Super title

|years=12 May 2018 – 17 October 2020}}

{{s-aft|after=Teófimo López|rows=3}}

{{s-bef|before=Jorge Linares}}

{{s-ttl|title=The Ring lightweight champion

|years=12 May 2018 – 17 October 2020}}

{{s-bef|before=José Pedraza}}

{{s-ttl|title=WBO lightweight champion

|years=8 December 2018 – 17 October 2020}}

{{s-break}}

{{s-vac|last=Mikey Garcia}}

{{s-ttl|title=WBC lightweight champion

|years=31 August 2019 – 23 October 2019
Status changed to Franchise champion}}

{{s-aft|after=Devin Haney}}

{{s-vac|last=Devin Haney}}

{{s-ttl|title=IBF lightweight champion

|years=12 May 2024 – present}}

{{s-inc}}

{{s-ach|aw}}

{{s-before|before=Keith Thurman}}

{{s-ttl|title=The Ring Prospect of the Year

|years=2013}}

{{s-after|after=Anthony Joshua}}

{{s-before|before=David Price}}

{{s-ttl|title=ESPN Prospect of the Year

|years=2013}}

{{s-after|after=Félix Verdejo}}

{{s-ach|ach}}

{{s-bef|before=Terence Crawford}}

{{s-ttl|title=BWAA pound for pound #1 boxer

|years=1 May 2018 – 18 December 2019}}

{{s-aft|rows=2|after=Canelo Álvarez}}

{{s-bef|before=Gennady Golovkin}}

{{s-ttl|title=The Ring pound for pound #1 boxer

|years=18 September 2018 – 7 November 2019}}

{{s-ach|rec}}

{{s-bef|before=Saensak Muangsurin
3}}

{{s-ttl|title=Fewest professional fights
to win a major world title
3

|years=21 June 2014 – present}}

{{s-inc|rows=3}}

{{s-bef|before=Naoya Inoue
8}}

{{s-ttl|title=Fewest professional fights
to win a major world title
in two weight classes
7

|years=11 June 2016 – present}}

{{s-bef|before=Kazuto Ioka
18}}

{{s-ttl|title=Fewest professional fights
to win a major world title
in three weight classes
12

|years=12 May 2018 – present

|with=Kosei Tanaka}}

{{s-end}}

{{Vasiliy Lomachenko}}

{{Val Barker Trophy winners}}

{{Footer Olympic Champions Boxing Featherweight}}

{{Footer Olympic Champions Boxing Lightweight}}

{{Footer World Amateur Champions Featherweight}}

{{Footer World Amateur Champions Lightweight}}

{{Footer European Amateur Champions Featherweight}}

{{The Ring magazine Fighter of the Year}}

{{Sugar Ray Robinson Award}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lomachenko, Vasiliy}}

Category:1988 births

Category:Living people

Category:Ukrainian male boxers

Category:People from Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi

Category:Sportspeople from Odesa Oblast

Category:AIBA World Boxing Championships medalists

Category:Dynamo Sports Club sportspeople

Category:Olympic boxers for Ukraine

Category:Boxers at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Category:Boxers at the 2012 Summer Olympics

Category:Medalists at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Category:Medalists at the 2012 Summer Olympics

Category:Olympic gold medalists for Ukraine

Category:Olympic medalists in boxing

Category:World featherweight boxing champions

Category:World super-featherweight boxing champions

Category:World lightweight boxing champions

Category:World Boxing Organization champions

Category:World Boxing Association champions

Category:World Boxing Council champions

Category:International Boxing Federation champions

Category:The Ring (magazine) champions

Category:Territorial Defense Forces of Ukraine personnel

Category:Ukrainian military personnel of the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Category:K. D. Ushinsky South Ukrainian National Pedagogical University alumni

Category:21st-century Ukrainian sportsmen