Vasiliy Lomachenko Halted Negotiations With Charly Suarez
The veteran boxer has ended talks to fight the undefeated contender in favor of pursuing a title match.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Boxing
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Vasiliy Lomachenko has officially ceased negotiations for a potential bout against undefeated boxer Charly Suarez. Instead, Lomachenko is turning his attention toward WBA junior-lightweight champion Anthony Cacace.
Why it matters
Lomachenko opted to end the discussions due to a lack of interest in the matchup with Suarez. The shift signals his intent to secure a path toward an undisputed world title.
Charly Suarez maintains a professional boxing record of 19-0, including 11 knockouts. He remains a key figure in the division following his May 2025 technical decision loss to Emanuel Navarrete.
The players
Vasiliy Lomachenko
He is a highly decorated professional boxer who has held world titles in multiple weight classes.
Charly Suarez
He is an undefeated professional boxer from the Philippines who holds a 19-0 career record.
Emanuel Navarrete
He is a professional boxer from Mexico known for his high-volume punching style and multiple world championships.
O'Shaquie Foster
He is a professional boxer and world champion who is preparing for a title unification bout.
Anthony Cacace
He is the reigning WBA junior-lightweight champion currently targeted for a title defense.
The details
Lomachenko has pivoted away from Suarez, who is currently slated to face the winner of the upcoming three-belt title unification bout between Emanuel Navarrete and O'Shaquie Foster. Meanwhile, the winner of the projected Lomachenko-Cacace fight is expected to pursue an undisputed title match.
Timeline
May 2025: Emanuel Navarrete defeated Charly Suarez by technical decision.
October 24, 2026: Emanuel Navarrete and O'Shaquie Foster will compete for three title belts in San Antonio.
Season Trajectory
This move reshapes the junior-lightweight landscape as Lomachenko bypasses existing contenders to challenge for a world title. The decision leaves Suarez waiting for the outcome of the Navarrete-Foster unification, which will determine the mandatory challenger path for that belt.
The cancellation effectively removes the possibility of a Lomachenko-Suarez matchup from the immediate divisional schedule. Fans should now look to the October 24 unification bout, as the result will dictate the next mandatory opponent for the victor.
The takeaway
Top-tier fighters often prioritize legacy-building title matches over undefeated prospects who have already suffered recent losses. Observers should track the upcoming unification bout to identify who will emerge as the primary divisional target for the rest of the field.
Further reading
For more updates on divisional rankings and upcoming bouts, explore the latest Boxing coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by BoxingScene.
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