As BoxingScene.com reported earlier today, Vasiliy Lomachenko has been ruled out from a potential clash with IBF, WBC Franchise, WBO, WBA lightweight champion George Kambosos.
Although a deal had been reached, Lomachenko returned to his home country of Ukraine to assist with the local resistance against the ongoing invasion by Russia.
Kambosos’ handlers were made aware that Lomachenko had opted to remain in Ukraine to help his countrymen.
The unbeaten unified champ will now turn his attention to a full division unification with WBC champion Devin Haney – with a target date of June 5 in Australia.
“[Lomachenko], I respect your decision and I totally understand, and I pray for you and your country. Please stay safe and once I wipe the floor with Devin, we will make this fight between two real champions. God bless,” Kambosos stated.
In a recent interview, Haney expressed his confidence in beating Kambosos.
“I got so many different styles, it depends what style I bring out on the night,” Haney said to IFL TV. “But obviously my style is number one, my ring IQ. It will be something totally different to what he’s used to.
“I take my hat off to [Kambosos], he’s a great fighter, but he’ll see something different when he gets in the ring with me. He had speed. It’s more about timing with me. You can be the fastest fighter in the world but if you’re swinging at air then what does it matter?”
Kambosos pulled off a shocker last year in New York City, when he dropped and outboxed Teofimo Lopez to capture the unified crown. For Haney, 2021 was the best year of his pro run – with decision wins over former world champions Jorge Linares and Joseph Diaz.