This one got made face to face. In the clip AKHi TV leads with, Vasiliy Lomachenko explains why he is coming back: he woke up thinking he is now 38, and if he wants one more run at undisputed it has to happen before 40 or 41 makes it too late. He says he was tired of boxing and that 135 was never his natural weight — now he is back at 130, his natural weight, and ready.
Asked whether he wants the winner of that night’s fight at 130 next year, Lomachenko answered: “Yeah, absolutely. Yes, of course.” He was honest about the unknowns, too — he wants to check his condition next year after another month or two of preparation. His last fight was the George Kambosos win in May 2024, after which he walked away from a Tank Davis fight later that year.
Then Foster walked into the conversation — fresh off unifying three belts against Emanuel Navarrete — and the two agreed on the spot: next year, a great fight, let’s do it. But Foster added the part that tells you exactly where his head is. He wants Lomachenko to take a tune-up first, so that when Foster beats him, there are no excuses.
Per the AKHi host — Bob Arum does not speak in this video — it was Arum who put the moment together, telling Foster as he walked out with the third belt that Lomachenko is his next opponent next year after he becomes undisputed, and having the two men shake on it. The host’s verdict was just as direct: Lomachenko’s style, pressure and experience will all show up, but “I believe Foster is the better fighter.”
The host did flag the real danger, and it is not Lomachenko’s footwork. It is the scorecards. Foster, he argues, cannot win a close 8-4 type of fight against a legend the whole building is rooting for — he has to dominate. That is the assignment. Foster has one more belt to collect first, and if he finishes the undisputed run, the handshake becomes the biggest fight at 130. A 38-year-old legend chasing history, and a champion who just told him to warm up so the loss will be clean. That is standing on business from both sides.
Video credit: AKHi TV.
