Vasiliy Lomachenko Opens Up About Emotional Reason for Retiring

The End of the Undisputed Quest

The primary driver behind Lomachenko's retirement was not age or physical decline, but the extinguishing of a singular, driving dream. For Lomachenko, the pinnacle of professional boxing was to become an undisputed world champion:

Lomachenko lost a closely contested and controversial unanimous decision to Devin Haney in a fight for all four major lightweight titles. That loss affected him more than fans knew at the time.

“Before the fight with Kambosos, I wanted to be finished with boxing,” Lomachenko told Osuna. “My goal was [to become] undisputed world champion, and I understand that after Haney, I don’t have a chance anymore.”

Without the possibility of achieving that ultimate objective, the fire that fueled his legendary work ethic simply burned out. 

He explained, “It was my motivation, I lost motivation. I can’t be the undisputed world champion. Inside me, I am finished with boxing”.

A Father's Request

Despite his internal retirement after the Haney fight, Lomachenko’s career did not end there. He stepped into the ring one more time in May 2024 to face former unified champion George Kambosos Jr. in Perth, Australia. The motivation for that fight, which he won decisively via 11th-round TKO to capture the IBF title, came not from personal ambition but from respect for his father’s wish.

Lomachenko explained that it was his father and lifelong trainer, Anatoly, who convinced him to take the fight. 

“My father wanted me to do it again. He called me and said, 'Hey, we need to do this one more time. You can do it,'” he revealed. “For me, this man gave me life. He gave me everything I have. So [out of] respect, [I went] into the ring one more time.”

This final victory, achieved out of love and duty rather than personal desire, became the perfect farewell note. It also resulted in a world championship win that allowed him to exit the sport on his own terms, even if his heart had already left it months prior.

Pacquiao Talks and Exhibition Speculation

Despite his clear explanations for retiring, the boxing world continues to speculate about a potential return for Lomachenko. The most prominent rumor comes from another all-time great, Manny Pacquiao. 

The Filipino icon, who himself returned from retirement for a fight in July, has publicly stated on multiple occasions that negotiations are ongoing for a potential showdown with Lomachenko.

“Lomachenko is possible. There is a negotiation. [But] it’s hard to say. Negotiations are ongoing,” Pacquiao said in an interview with IBA Boxing.

 However, he crucially clarified the nature of the discussed bout, stating during a press conference for Thrilla in Manila 2, “There’s also negotiations with Lomachenko for an exhibition, not a real fight”.

A sanctioned exhibition match may not hold the same competitive stakes or require the all-consuming motivation that Lomachenko felt was missing for a world title run. While Lomachenko has not revealed any indications of reversing his retirement decision, the prospect of a lucrative, legacy-enhancing exhibition against a legend like Pacquiao could present a different kind of opportunity.

Vasiliy Lomachenko’s career was defined by an obsessive quest for undisputed glory, and when that path was definitively blocked, he found the integrity to walk away, his legacy secure. While the potential for a special exhibition with Manny Pacquiao lingers, it would be a postscript, not a new chapter.