IBF lightweight champion Vasily Lomachenko is close to the end of his 60-day medical extension but will have to decide in the coming weeks whether he will continue his professional career.
The 18-3 (12 KO) Ukrainian star won the belt against George Kambosos in Australia in May. But after talks stalled over a fight with Gervonta Davis, speculation has intensified that Lomachenko, 36, may walk away from the fight entirely.
On November 14, Lomachenko received a 60-day medical extension from the IBF, but they later received paperwork from a doctor on the fighter’s behalf saying he would not be able to compete by the time the extension was completed. Which is tomorrow (January 11th). He requested a medical exemption on January 2nd.
After the meeting, the IBF directors granted him an extension on two conditions. The first was that contender number 2 Zaur Abdullaev began negotiations with Raymond Muratalla for the IBF interim title.
The second is that Lomachenko must defend the winner of that fight by October 8th. If Lomachenko doesn’t do that, Temporary champions will receive upgrades.
The IBF added that they no longer allow requests to delay mandatory belt defenses.
Abdullaev is a Russian from Armenia who is 20-1 (12 KO). Muratalla, California, is 22-0 (17 KO).
