Ukrainian boxing great Lomachenko retires aged 37

Ukrainian boxing awesome Vasiliy Lomachenko – 1 of nan sport's astir dressed up athletes – has announced his status astatine nan property of 37.

Lomachenko claimed Olympic golden astatine Beijing 2008 and London 2012 successful a singular amateur profession consisting of 396 wins and conscionable 1 loss.

After turning master successful 2013, he became a three-weight world champion successful only 12 bouts – a grounds he shares pinch nan recently retired Kosei Tanaka.

"I americium thankful that, arsenic my profession comes to an end, I person generated clarity astir nan guidance a personification must return successful bid to execute existent victory," Lomachenko said successful an affectional video posted connected societal media.

Heralded for his terrific footwork, velocity and operation punching, Lomachenko is wide considered arsenic 1 of nan astir technically-gifted fighters of his generation.

He retires pinch a master grounds of 18 wins and 3 defeats. His last bout came successful May 2024, erstwhile he stopped George Kambosos Jr successful nan 11th information to declare nan vacant IBF lightweight title.

Lomachenko paid tribute to his squad and family, peculiarly his begetter and long-time trainer Anatoly Lomachenko.

"My begetter taught maine not only boxing, but really to beryllium a domiciled exemplary for my ain children," he said.

"I've made galore mistakes successful life and successful nan gym, but he was ever by my side, correcting maine erstwhile needed. I person galore lukewarm memories."

Following his stellar amateur career, Lomachenko challenged for a world title successful conscionable his 2nd master fight, dropping a arguable determination to Orlando Salido successful 2014.

He bounced backmost successful his adjacent outing by defeating Gary Russell Jr to seizure nan WBO featherweight title, earlier going connected to triumph world titles astatine super-featherweight and lightweight – cementing his bequest arsenic 1 of nan modern era's finest.