Vasily Lomachenko pulled out of talks with Gervonta Davis recently, but a promised return in 2025 could see the match-up still take place.
The Ukrainian picked up the vacant IBF Lightweight World Title earlier this year with a victory over George Kambosos Jr. Months later, ‘Tank’ Davis defended his WBA belt by knocking out Frank Martin.
Promoter Bob Arum was buoyant about initial talks between the two champions before it was revealed that Lomachenko has backed out due to a ‘lack of motivation’ to fight again in 2024. His team has made it clear this is not retirement for the 36-year-old, and if he wants more belts when he returns he will still likely have to face Davis.
Should it happen, hall of fame fighter turned promoter Oscar De La Hoya is predicting youth wins. In an interview with ES News, De La Hoya said it was ‘the perfect time’ for ‘Tank’ to take the fight.
“I think it’ll be a good fight, but I do think that Tank with the youth and with Loma kind of losing a step, and I don’t say that with any disrespect it just happens, it just does, father time catches up to you. But I think it’s the perfect time for Tank to dethrone Lomachenko but it will be one hell of a fight.”
With Lomachenko sitting on the sidelines, Davis is expected to return in November with an opponent yet to be announced.
Fans would like it to be WBC Champion Shakur Stevenson in the opposite corner, but, despite both looking for a dance partner, that one looks like it will marinate for longer too with Stevenson now in talks to welcome former super-featherweight champ Joe Cordina to the division.
