Lomachenko ends retirement, agrees with Foster to fight in 2027 at 130 lb

Lomachenko's comeback now has a target. Hours after saying on the DAZN broadcast that he plans to fight again, he met O'Shaquie Foster at ringside, and according to The Ring the two settled on "next year" and finished with "Let's do it." Nothing has been announced.

Foster is the obvious opponent. He beat Emanuel Navarrete by unanimous decision, with two knockdowns in the 12th round, and now holds three super featherweight belts. Lomachenko said he is still chasing an undisputed title, and Foster's route there runs through the winner of Anthony Cacace vs. Nick Ball for the WBA belt in Belfast on December 19.

Lomachenko, 38 and turning 39 in February, last fought in May 2024, when he stopped George Kambosos Jr. in the 11th round to win the vacant IBF lightweight title. A Gervonta Davis fight had been discussed afterward but never happened. He said he walked away because he was tired and 135 lb was not his natural weight. Both Teofimo Lopez and Devin Haney beat him on points at lightweight. He has not boxed at 130 lb since beating Guillermo Rigondeaux in 2017.

He is cautious about his own body. "During the preparation, it looks very good, but nobody knows what will happen after another month or two of preparation," he said.

A warm-up appears likely first. Boxing News reports that Lomachenko told Fight Hub TV that his next step is a fight with Charly Suarez, perhaps later this year, calling it his first fight after a rest. Suarez is also 38 and fought Navarrete to an eighth-round no contest in May 2025. No Suarez bout has been announced.

Other names are in the mix. ESPN's Brian Custer reported that Lomachenko is keen on facing Cacace, who says he is focused on Ball. His Top Rank contract has ended, and he did not rule out fighting for the promotion again. Watch for a Suarez announcement, the Cacace-Ball result and any promoter move.