Vasiliy Lomachenko believes that Ukraine’s war with Russia has changed him as a person but he is still the same fighter.
Lomachenko, along with fellow Ukrainian pound-for-pound contender Oleksandr Usyk, both returned to their home country to take up arms with the armed forces.
Initially, no men of fighting age were allowed to leave the country but both men along with others have been given permission to travel abroad, and after Usyk’s victory against Anthony Joshua, Lomachenko looks for another success in the public eye.
The former four-belt lightweight champion is hoping for another title challenge down the line after losing to Teofimo Lopez back in 2020
Asked about the tumultuous events of the year so far, Lomachenko made a clear delineation between his experiences out of the ring and how they have affected him as a boxer, but also as a person.
“I think we have to differentiate here,” he told The DAZN Boxing Show.
“That whole situation of course changed me as an individual but it did not change me as a boxer.
“I’m the same boxer with a love of boxing, with the dedication and the goals that I want to achieve.”
Lomachenko returns to the ring this Saturday against unbeaten American Jamaine Ortiz, but he has also been linked with a clash against undisputed champion Devin Haney next.