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Steve KimESPN
Detroit lightweight champion Vasily Lomachenko underwent right shoulder surgery on Monday, according to his manager, Alice Klimas.
Lomachenko previously had surgery on his right shoulder in May 2018. Clemas said Lomachenko suffered both a previous illness and injury during the second round of losing his decision to Teofimo Lopez on Saturday.
Lopechenko was very cautious in the first half of the competition, while Lopez took a significant lead on the scorecards. His late-night rally fell short, and Lomachenko lost his WBC, WBO and WBA titles.
On Monday he was examined by Dr. Neil Iltresh (who oversaw his operation in 2018) and was told he would need surgery that day.
According to Clemas, Lomachenko will be able to resume training in mid-January.
“When he arrived in the states to prepare for the fight, he said in Ukraine that he felt a sharp pain in his right shoulder.” “We immediately took him to Dr. L. Atreus to check on him.”
Six weeks before the fight, Lomachenko was given an injection and warned both the voluntary anti-doping association and the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
“We lost a week of training. We lost a week of fighting, because the doctor forbade him to do much for a week after the injection,” Climas said.
Climace added that a few weeks later, the pain flared up during a sparing session. At the same time, Lomachenko was given another injection, and his father and trainer Anatoly, “wanted to get out of the fight,” Klimas said.
Vasily Lomachenko said he would not back down from the fight, and he made it clear to his team that he would retire if he got out.
Although news of the injury came quickly after Saturday’s loss, Clemas said: “We didn’t want to look like we were looking for an excuse or something.”
When Lomachenko is healed, Klimas said he wants a chance to get the belt back.
“If possible, we want to match again,” Climas said. “If they’re too tough … are they willing to come back and do it?”
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