Vasyl Lomachenko opted to wear a unique fight kit in the style of Ukrainian military attire for his bout with Jamaine Ortiz on Saturday night in New York.
The Ukrainian star made his return to the ring after serving in his local territorial defense force earlier this year during the war with Russia.
Loma lost his lightweight belts to Teofimo Lopez in a big upset at the end of 2020, but bounced back last year with two good wins which put him in position to fight for the world titles again.
In another sizeable shock, Australia’s George Kambosos Jr dethroned Lopez in 2021 and then went looking for his first defence.
Lomachenko was first in line to get this opportunity, however declared himself unavailable to take the fight.
When Russia invaded Ukraine, he went straight home to be with his family and signed up for his local territorial defence force in the Belgorod-Dnestrovsky region.
The Ukrainian was offered the chance by government officials to leave the country to train for the Kambosos Jr fight, but turned it down to stay and defend his homeland if needed.
As a result, America’s Devin Haney fought Kambosos Jr instead, masterfully outboxing the Australian to crown himself undisputed WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO lightweight world champion.
Loma ultimately decided to leave his home country in July to continue his world title pursuit, but insisted his mind remains with his fellow Ukrainians ahead of his fight against Ortiz.
“I want to dedicate this fight to all my Ukrainian people. I wear the flag proudly every time I step in the ring,” Lomachenko said.
“I love my sport, and I am so glad to be back. My goal is to win the undisputed lightweight title, but I will not take Jamaine Ortiz lightly.”
On fight night he wore kit that resembled his uniform in the Belgorod-Dnestrovsky territorial defense.
It featured camo colours, plus the Ukraine flag on one sleeve and the Belgorod-Dnestrovsky city flag on the other.
