After a two-year delay, Vasiliy Lomachenko and George Kambosos Jr. will finally face off in a highly anticipated lightweight boxing match, a showdown that is likely to be Lomachenko’s “final bout” in his illustrious career. Originally scheduled for May 6, 2022, the fight was postponed due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Lomachenko, then, chose to stay in his homeland to support his fellow citizens.

Had the two fighters clashed back then, both would have been at the peak of their careers and battling for multiple world championship titles, promising an intense and exciting contest. At that time, Kambosos held the WBA (Super), IBF, and WBO lightweight titles, along with The Ring championship belt. However, circumstances dictated otherwise, and Lomachenko prioritized his country’s needs over the fight.

Two years later, with the war still ongoing, Lomachenko has reconsidered his decision and is set to take on Kambosos. The Ukrainian warrior recognizes that time is no longer on his side, and he faces a potentially career-defining moment in this fight.

Both Lomachenko and Kambosos are on the brink of retirement following previous losses to Devin Haney in 2022. Kambosos won the IBO lightweight title against Maxi Hughes last July, but it remains a minor title. Meanwhile, Lomachenko’s attempt to unify the division ended in defeat against Haney last May, leaving him empty-handed.

On Sunday, May 12th, at the arena in Perth, Australia, these “two of Haney’s vanquished” will compete for the vacant IBF lightweight title. This bout could be the last championship opportunity for both men, who remain formidable competitors in the lightweight division.

Lomachenko, nicknamed “Hi-Tech,” acknowledges that this could be his swan song, saying, “I’ve been involved in this sport for a long time. How long will I keep fighting? That’s difficult to say.” He added that the result of the fight would depend on how well his body handles the rigors of training camp and another intense match.

Whichever fighter triumphs this weekend may still have a few more matches left in them. The loser, however, may have reached the end of the road, with retirement potentially looming in the distance.