Vasyl Lomachenko reveals ring return details and his main target

Vasyl Lomachenko plans to make comeback in November after two years retired

By Tim Rickson29 Sept 2026 · 2 min read

Lomachenko aims to campaign at super-featherweight with Emanuel Navarrete as his primary target

Vasyl Lomachenko is preparing to return to the ring for the first time in over two years this November.

The 38-year-old boxing genius hasn't set foot in the squared circle since stopping George Kambosos Jr in 11 rounds in the Aussie's back yard in May 2024.

The two-time Olympic gold medallist claimed the vacant IBF and IBO world lightweight titles in the process and subsequently entered into negotiations over a unification clash with Baltimore's Gervonta "Tank" Davis.

Lomachenko would eventually pull the plug on discussions in order to take an extended break, before officially hanging up his gloves in June of last year.

The Ukrainian then reversed his retirement in May following the expiration of his promotional deal with Top Rank, stating that he was coming back to fight all the big names.

Lomachenko has made no secret of his interest in a showdown with WBA and IBF super-featherweight champion Emanuel Navarrete.

The Mexican takes on WBC titleholder O'Shaquie Foster in a thrilling three-belt shootout on October 24.

Lomachenko could return to the ring in just a month's time, recently revealing to Brian Custer that he intends to launch his comeback in November at 130lbs.

While he didn't name an opponent, he has been consistently linked with unbeaten Filipino Charly Suarez.

The decision to go after Suarez is motivated by his WBO mandatory status and his highly controversial bout with Navarrete last May.

Navarrete sustained a deep gash above his left eyebrow during his clash with Suarez, resulting in the Mexican being pulled out on the doctor's advice at the start of the eighth round.

Referee Edward Collantes determined that the cut had resulted from a clash of heads, and so the fight was sent to the scorecards, with Navarrete being awarded the unanimous technical decision win.

The result was immediately called into question when a replay revealed that the cut had been opened by a legal punch from Suarez in the sixth stanza.

Video replay official Jack Reiss had the power to overturn the referee's decision, but stated that he was unable to draw any conclusive evidence from the initial footage he reviewed. The California State Athletic Commission later overturned the fight to a No Contest.

But if the correct call had been made on the night, Suarez would have stolen the WBO super-featherweight strap from Navarrete via eighth-round doctor's stoppage.

Suarez has since returned to action in July, blowing away Manuel Avila in the first round.

After the quick finish, he was quizzed on a potential match-up with Lomachenko.

“It depends on my promoter, Sampson [Lewkowicz]," said Suarez. "He knows what is good for me. I trust him so much – with everything. He knows the best fight for me.”