Lomachenko eyes Navarrete, Davis fights after comeback

Vasiliy Lomachenko is coming out of retirement this fall with a pair of high-stakes targets lined up.

The former three-division champion is eyeing unified IBF and WBO junior lightweight titleholder Emanuel Navarrete for his comeback bout in fall 2026, The Ring's Mike Coppinger reported on the Monday debut of "Inside The Ring" on DAZN. If successful against Navarrete, Lomachenko could move forward with a fight against WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis, according to Coppinger.

Lomachenko retired in June with back problems

Lomachenko last fought in May 2024, stopping George Kambosos in the 11th round to claim the vacant IBF lightweight belt. The Ukrainian southpaw walked away from the sport a month later in June 2025, citing persistent back trouble that had dogged him through camp. Representatives for Lomachenko and Davis had been negotiating a potential late-2024 matchup before the retirement.

Navarrete stopped Eduardo Nunez in the 11th round on February 28 to unify at 130 pounds, a performance that lifted the Mexican to No. 10 on The Ring pound-for-pound list. Davis, meanwhile, fought Lamont Roach Jr. to a majority draw in March after his scheduled bout with Jake Paul fell apart due to legal issues.

Lomachenko holds an 18-3 record with 12 knockouts and has captured world titles at featherweight, junior lightweight and lightweight. The 38-year-old two-time Olympic gold medalist was a unified lightweight champion during his first reign at 135 pounds. No date or venue has been announced for the Navarrete fight.

Source: ringmagazine.com