Lomachenko-Suarez Could Set Up Foster Undisputed Clash
Lomachenko's comeback vs. Charly Suarez could set up a shot at Foster's undisputed 130lb crown.
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Vasiliy Lomachenko is closing in on a comeback fight against Charly Suarez that would position the winner for a shot at O'Shaquie Foster's undisputed junior lightweight crown.
Foster became the new three-belt champion at 130 pounds on Saturday, routing Emanuel Navarrete over 12 rounds to unify the WBC, IBF and WBO titles, a performance capped by two knockdowns in the final round. Lomachenko, the two-time Olympic gold medalist and three-division champion, watched from ringside, and word out of the champion's camp is that a Lomachenko-Suarez bout could happen in February.
Why Lomachenko Gets First Crack at Suarez Instead of Foster
Foster said after beating Navarrete that he expected to face Charly Suarez next as the WBO's mandatory challenger, since Suarez has been waiting for another title shot since his disputed technical-decision loss to Navarrete last year. But the plan being described would instead send Suarez, 19-0 with 11 knockouts, into the ring with Lomachenko this February, freeing Foster to wait for the winner of the December 19 WBA 130-pound title fight between Anthony Cacace and Nick Ball. The winner of Lomachenko-Suarez would then line up as the mandatory for whoever holds the undisputed throne, keeping Foster on track to fight for full unification against the Cacace-Ball winner first.
For Lomachenko, 38, this is the chase he has wanted for years. He came agonizingly close to undisputed status at lightweight in 2023 before losing a unanimous decision to Devin Haney in Las Vegas, a defeat that visibly shook him. He retired after stopping George Kambosos Jnr in May 2024, but the pull of an undisputed title is apparently enough to bring him back. Lomachenko does have a track record at 130 pounds, going 5-0 with five knockouts during a short run at the weight in 2016-17.
What a Lomachenko-Suarez Fight Means for the Betting Markets
Books have not opened a line on Lomachenko-Suarez since the fight isn't official yet, but the matchup profile is easy to read directionally. Lomachenko's combination of elite footwork, educated pressure and historical dominance against faster, less experienced opposition would likely make him a solid favorite over Suarez even at 38 and off a long layoff from championship-level work. Suarez enters unbeaten and physical, but he's never faced a technician with Lomachenko's resume, and a style clash like that tends to open as lopsided on the betting side regardless of ring rust questions.
The bigger market intrigue is further down the line. If Foster ends up facing the Cacace-Ball winner for undisputed status while Lomachenko-Suarez plays out on a parallel track, bettors get a cleaner picture of who's live for the undisputed fight and who isn't. Foster, fresh off arguably the best win of his career, would carry momentum into any version of that fight. A Lomachenko run through Suarez would set up a storyline showdown that the market would price heavily around Lomachenko's name recognition and skill level, regardless of age.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vasiliy Lomachenko fighting Charly Suarez next?
A Lomachenko-Suarez junior lightweight bout is being discussed for February, which would serve as a mandatory challenger eliminator at 130 pounds.
Why isn't O'Shaquie Foster fighting Charly Suarez right away?
O'Shaquie Foster is reportedly expected to wait for the winner of the December 19 WBA title fight between Anthony Cacace and Nick Ball, while Charly Suarez instead faces Vasiliy Lomachenko.
What titles does O'Shaquie Foster hold after beating Emanuel Navarrete?
O'Shaquie Foster unified the WBC, IBF and WBO junior lightweight titles with a dominant decision win over Emanuel Navarrete that included two 12th-round knockdowns.
