Lomachenko’s Retirement: How the Boxing World Responded

On June 5, 2025, former three-division world champion Vasyl Lomachenko officially announced his retirement. At the time of his announcement, Lomachenko was 37 years old, with a final professional record of 18 wins, 3 losses, and 12 KOs.

Promoter Bob Arum reacted to the news:

“It was an honor for the entire Top Rank team to promote Vasyl Lomachenko’s professional career.

He was a champion of his generation, and we will all miss him in the sport of boxing.”

Lomachenko’s final opponent, George Kambosos, also paid tribute:

“God bless you, brother. It was an honor to be your last opponent and to share the ring with you.

An Orthodox warrior of Christ and a great man.”

Veteran boxing journalist and insider Dan Rafael expressed confidence that Lomachenko will enter the Boxing Hall of Fame:

“I’m almost certain Lomachenko will be a first-ballot Hall of Famer — and I have a vote. An outstanding fighter: incredible technique, accomplishments, historic records, and he always chased the toughest opponents. For him, it was never about the money — he knew that if he kept winning, the money would come.

It was truly an honor to cover his entire career. In my 25 years covering boxing professionally, I’d confidently put Lomachenko in the top ten most talented fighters I’ve ever seen. He did things in the ring that made you just shake your head and ask, ‘How is that even possible?’

In terms of raw talent, he’s right there with Roy Jones Jr. and Floyd Mayweather,” Rafael said.

Ryan Garcia made a brief comment:

‘Shoutout Loma, wrote the American.

Shakur called his former sparring partner a legend:

“A legend in and out of the ring. One of the greats, in my opinion. Champion, respect,” said Stevenson.

And Virgil Ortiz admitted that he would miss Vasyl's fights:

“Ima miss watching Lomachenko fight, he was different” Ortiz wrote.

Lomachenko’s final bout was a stoppage win over George Kambosos, which earned him the IBF lightweight title.