Vasiliy Lomachenko Reportedly Set For October Fight In New York Amid NYSAC Suspension

Vasiliy Lomachenko is reportedly returning to the ring after eight months.

His return comes after serving in the Belgorod-Dnestrovsky Territorial Defense against the Russian invasion in Ukraine, the fighter’s native country.

On October 29, Vasiliy Lomachenko and Jamaine Ortiz will officially go head-to-head at Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theater, according to Boxing Scene. The lightweight bout will be available for view on ESPN+.

However, there stands one roadblock in front of Lomachenko: he’s been suspended by the New York State Athletic Commission.

FIGHT SPORTS confirmed the suspension with the NYSAC Wednesday afternoon; the commission said it is a medical suspension, but could not provide further details.

The commission further informed FIGHT SPORTS that it is common for boxers to be suspended after bouts in order to protect them from a health standpoint. Additional information will not be released to the public by the commission.

The suspension can stem from an examination needed from a primary care provider, the commission said. Lomachenko will have to reportedly take care of the requirements behind the suspension in order to go ahead with October’s targeted fight.

Lomachenko (16-2, 11 KOs) would be returning for his first fight since he won by a 12-round unanimous decision against former IBF lightweight champion Richard Commey (30-4, 27 KOs) in December.

Depending on the result of the Lomachenko-Ortiz bout, the Ukranian boxer may face the winner of the Devin Haney (28-0, 15 KOs) and George Kambosos Jr. (20-1, 10 KOs) rematch.

The bout between Haney-Kambosos is set to take place on October 16 at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia. The fight will be available on ESPN.

Haney, however, said on Tuesday during his kickoff press conference that a fight with Lomachenko is in the air. He wants to see what he’s at after his rematch with Kambosos, and if his father and trainer, Bill Haney, thinks the matchup makes sense.

For Ortiz (16-0-1, 8 KOs), he won by unanimous decision in his last bout against WBO junior lightweight champion Jamel Herring (23-4, 11 KOs). He sent the veteran boxer into retirement.