Vasiliy Lomachenko vs George Kambosos Jr. to clash for the vacant IBF lightweight title
Ukrainian Vasyl Lomachenko and Australian George Kambosos Jr. are set to fight for the vacant IBF title next
According to ESPN’s Mike Coppinger, the IBF world lightweight title fight is set to take place May 12th in Perth, Australia. George Kambosos Jr. is the IBF No.2 and Vasyl Lomachenko is IBF No.3, with the No.1 spot currently unoccupied.
The matchup has been a long time coming, first tipped to take place in 2022, as then-unified lightweight champion Kambosos Jr. was looking for another title defence.
Unfortunately, the fight never came to fruition and ‘Ferocious’ Kambosos instead squared off against Devin Haney in an undisputed matchup in June 2022, losing his belts in that fight, then subsequently suffering a second defeat in the rematch four months later, both bouts taking place in Melbourne.
More recently, the Australian fan-favourite won a heavily scrutinised decision over Briton Maxi Hughes in July 2023. The 30-year-old from Sydney won by mixed decision, but not without controversy, as many spectators had the Brit winning after a close 12-rounds contest. ‘Maximus’ Hughes was forced to hand over his IBO World lightweight title, as he registered a sixth career defeat in Kansas.
Similarly, his Ukrainian counterpart’s most recent fight also ended in what was an unsavoury decision in the eyes of many. Although, he was the victim rather than the victor, after a back-and-forth 12-round matchup against undefeated Devin Haney in May last year.
‘The Dream’ Haney has since left the lightweight division behind, moving up to 140lbs to immediately strip the champion Regis Prograis of his WBC crown on December 9th, in one of the most masterful performances of 2023. It was such a stunning performance, he was awarded WBC Boxer of the Month January 2024.
Without their boogeyman operating in the division anymore, things could be on the up for the former lightweight champions, and a win for either man will set them up nicely to attempt to take over the division one last time.
Even with the loss of Haney at lightweight, 140 lbs is looking as exciting as ever, with young Americans Gervonta Davis (WBA) and Shakur Stevenson (WBC) also looking to build a legacy in the division. Both champions are known for their desire to be the face of boxing, so there’s unlikely to be anyone ducking each other in the near future. The WBO belt is also vacant at the moment, which Loma is ranked No.1 with currently.