Vasiliy Lomachenko has opened up on his decision to forgo a world title blockbuster with Australia’s George Kambosos to instead fight for Ukraine with an M16 assault rifle, saying: “I take guns and stay as defence … stay as defence of our country”.
Seven months after sensationally joining Ukraine’s war against Russian invasion, Lomachenko now returns to the ring – and revives his push for renewed world domination – against undefeated American Jamaine Ortiz this Sunday, October 30.
The Madison Square Garden bout serves as the former three-weight world champion’s first appearance since opting out of a Kambosos unification bout to instead defend his homeland.
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Back in March, the two-time Olympic gold medallist was pictured near his hometown in army fatigues, and carrying an M16, as he joined the likes of former heavyweight champions Vitali and Wladimir Klitchsko in the war against Russia.
With Lomachenko sidelined, it was American Devin Haney who eventually stepped up and twice defeated Kambosos to claim, then defend the unified lightweight title.
Yet speaking in a revealing documentary dubbed ‘Battle Lines’, Lomachenko said his goal now was to win this Sunday, then chase a unification bout with Haney, while also explaining his decision to brush a Kambosos showdown to instead take up arms.
“February 24, started a war in our country,” Lomachenko said.
“And this moment – I can’t leave my country. I can’t leave to take my dream, my goal because I have more responsibility for my family, for my country.
“When (war) happens, it cancels all plans. All plans for people from our country, it’s cancelled.”
Later he continued of the Russian invasion: “First day, you can’t believe it.
“But when it’s going to second, then third day, reality comes to your head and you understand that it’s a real war and it’s a big trouble for people.
“(And) because I have responsibility for my family, for my country, for people who live around me, I stay.
“I go into military place, take military dress and guns and stay as defence.
“Stay as defence of our country.”
Lomachenko also revealed he had been particularly motivated to fight for the young people of his nation.
“It’s a very, very big problem for our kids,” he said.
“They are small and don’t understand what happened. But they see these bombs …
“It’s not a good feeling to sit in a basement a couple of hours and you don’t understand when you can go out, when you can come back to your house.
“How can I take words and explain this feeling?
“You can’t understand unless you’re living this situation. A lot of people die. A lot of kids die.
“(There’s) not a right word that explains this horror.”
Yet with the war now entering its ninth month, and the hopes of his nation increasing, Lomachenko has decided on a return to boxing convinced it will not only bring renewed focus to the situation, but also act as a boost for the Ukrainian people
“Now I have a big motivation,” he said. “Bigger than before.
“I believe if God give me this chance one more time, I will take it.”
