On November 14, 2024, Vasyl Lomachenko requested and was granted a 60-day medical extension that will expire on January 11, 2025, pursuant to rule 5.D.3 of the IBF rules governing championship contests. On the same day, the IBF received a medical report from Dr. Nelson, N.T on behalf of Lomachenko indicating that he would be unable to compete by the time that his medical extension expires on January 11, 2025. Following, Lomachenko requested a medical exception on January 2, 2025.
The IBF Directors met and determined that Lomachenko’s exception request shall be granted with the following conditions:
- The IBF will order #2 ranked lightweight contender Zaur Abdulaev to immediately commence negotiations with #4 ranked lightweight contender Raymond Muratalla for the IBF interim lightweight title.
- Vasyl Lomachenko must defend the IBF lightweight title against the interim champion by October 8, 2025. If the champion is unable to defend the title against the interim champion by the end of the time permitted under the exception, then the interim champion shall become the champion pursuant to Rule 16.E.
- The IBF will not grant any further requests to delay the mandatory defense of the IBF lightweight title.
I think Loma should consider retiring. He has a serious back injury as far as I know and he’s about to turn 37 years old. If he does come back and fight the winner in October, he’ll have been off a year and a half and Loma – Muratalla/Abdulaev isn’t a big fight but it is risky.
Anything to create another “title” fight.
“Muh interim”