Devin Haney is already weighing in on Vasiliy Lomachenko’s reported return, offering a public show of support as the former three-division champion prepares for another run. The reaction came this week on X after new reports indicated Lomachenko is planning to resume his career later this year, a development that immediately puts one of boxing’s most respected names back into the lightweight conversation.
“Wow... Welcome back, Loma!” Haney wrote.
According to The Ring, the 38-year-old Lomachenko has fully recovered from the back issues that previously influenced his decision to step away from the sport. With his promotional deal with Top Rank now expired, Lomachenko is reportedly a free agent and targeting a fall return.
That detail matters. A healthy, available Lomachenko instantly becomes a factor in a crowded lightweight picture that still includes major names across multiple sanctioning bodies. If he comes back sharp, he could jump straight into a high-level matchup rather than take a tune-up, which is reportedly the plan. For American fans, that is the biggest intrigue: not just that Lomachenko is back, but whether he can still compete with the division’s elite after time away and years of physical wear.
Haney’s response also carries extra weight because of their shared history. The two met in one of the sport’s most debated fights in May 2023, when Haney won a unanimous decision over Lomachenko in a result that sparked heavy discussion among fans and media. That lingering controversy makes any interaction between them notable, even if this one was brief and respectful.
Lomachenko last fought in May 2024, stopping George Kambosos Jr. by technical knockout in the 11th round to capture the IBF lightweight title. Now the focus shifts to where he lands, who is willing to face him, and whether this comeback becomes a serious title chase or one final swing at boxing relevance.