Roy Jones Jr. believes Vasiliy Lomachenko can still be competitive at 38, provided he drops down to 130 pounds and adjusts his approach following a layoff of over two years. Even with those changes, Jones views unified champion O’Shaquie Foster as a dangerous test for Lomachenko right now.

“I think that break gave him a chance to re-evaluate the whole situation and see that he should be fighting 130, which is true. And now he can go out the way he wants to go out,” Jones said on Hall of Game. Citing the Devin Haney bout as evidence, Jones explained that lightweight was simply too big for Lomachenko. He also noted that the extended hiatus likely gave the two-time Olympic gold medalist a much-needed mental reset after a grueling career.

Before Lomachenko even considers a title shot against Foster, he is expected to return against Charly Suarez, a tough super featherweight contender who gave Emanuel Navarrete major problems in their clash.

Taking on a high-motor opponent like Suarez right out of a two-year absence carries obvious risk, leaving Lomachenko little room to shake off ring rust. Still, Jones believes Lomachenko remains more skilled than 75% of the active boxers in the sport. Doubting a two-time Olympic gold medalist overlooks the fact that elite fundamentals and ring IQ do not simply vanish after two years away.

The real test against a relentless pressure fighter like Suarez, or a master technician like Foster, will be how frequently Lomachenko can still dart to his opponent’s blind side and fire before they have time to turn. While he might pull that off in short bursts, surviving twelve rounds means finding ways to score from a stationary position. That becomes critical against an opponent who uses a stiff jab to dictate range and force him to reset.

“To me, O’Shaquie is peaking right now. So that’s the wrong time to really mess with him,” Jones added. Foster proved that point against Emanuel Navarrete by controlling distance, clinching effectively on the inside, and maintaining enough power to score a knockdown in the twelfth round. Lomachenko would need to bait Foster into overextending before creating his signature angles, though Foster possesses the discipline to force Lomachenko to initiate the action.

Ultimately, Jones thinks Lomachenko’s deep amateur pedigree gives him the tools to trouble Foster if he evolves his game. The main thing to watch at super featherweight is whether Lomachenko can bait reactions with his jab and feints. If he can pull a younger opponent out of stance first, his footwork will only need to do half the work.

Fight fans are desperate to see pound-for-pound stars Shakur Stevenson and Gervonta Davis face off in the near future, but there is one reigning world champion that is hoping that he can work his way into fights with both men.

Stevenson has appeared only once during 2026 and has not fought since January, with his move to Zuffa Boxing seemingly stopping his career in its tracks, this causing him to recently force a release from his contract.

Meanwhile, ‘Tank’ Davis is winless since June 2024; drawing with Lamont Roach Jnr in his lone outing since then. Whilst external legal issues have kept him inactive from March 2025, it seems as though the return of WBA lightweight ‘champion-in-recess’ could be around the corner.

Speaking to ESNEWSWilliam Zepeda, who claimed the WBC lightweight world title with a victory over Roach back in August, said he hopes to avenge his July 2025 defeat to Stevenson.

“Yes [I want the rematch]. He’s very intelligent, left-handed, very fast.He doesn’t have a great punch, but he’s very fast; he’s very good.”

The Mexican southpaw also outlined his desire to take on Davis, believing that opportunity would allow him to ‘demonstrate his quality as a fighter’.

“With Tank, he’s a really strong fighter, but very clever. Skilful. I think it would be more of a test for me to be able to pass and demonstrate that I have the quality of good boxing.”

Davis is currently expected to take on George Kambosos Jr. when he puts an end to his ongoing 20-month run of inactivity, with that contest rumoured to take place in the super-lightweight division in early 2027.

Before Zepeda can look to secure either fight, he will face undefeated interim champion Jadier Herrera on March 13 next year.

Per the ruling, Rolly Romero’s upgrade to “super” champion in May came with the stipulation that Romero face the winner of Catterall’s (33-2, 14 KO) clash with “world” champion Shakhram Giyasov within 180 days. Three months after “El Gato” defeated Giyasov, Lopez (23-2, 13 KO) toppled Romero and “inherited the obligations previously established for the title, including the mandatory defense against Catterall.”

Rather than negotiate with Catterall, Lopez and his team “expressed their disagreement with the obligation to face the British challenger” and requested “reconsideration.” The WBA declined, noting that “as of the date of this decision, Lopez’s team had not submitted a formal request for special permission to pursue a unification bout.” Per Chris Mannix, Lopez’s team will appeal and had submitted a request to fight Ryan Garcia on November 5th.

Frankly, Lopez needs to fight Catterall or vacate. The WBA mandatory was hideously overdue, with Giyasov waiting literal years for his shot. Lopez has had months to negotiate with Garcia and nothing has come of it.

If the appeal fails the way it should, we can likely expect “The Takeover” to ditch his belt, as Catterall presents the same sort of tricksy style that bedeviled Lopez against Sandor Martin and other clever southpaws. Should that happen, Raul Curiel sits at the top of the rankings and would presumably get the call instead.