Vasyl Lomachenko will put his WBA and WBO lightweight world titles on the line and will aim to add the WBC strap to his collection against Luke Campbell. AP Photo
Vasyl Lomachenko will put his WBA and WBO lightweight world titles on the line and will aim to add the WBC strap to his collection against Luke Campbell. AP Photo
Vasyl Lomachenko will put his WBA and WBO lightweight world titles on the line and will aim to add the WBC strap to his collection against Luke Campbell. AP Photo
Vasyl Lomachenko will put his WBA and WBO lightweight world titles on the line and will aim to add the WBC strap to his collection against Luke Campbell. AP Photo

Vasyl Lomachenko will not emulate longevity of Manny Pacquiao: 'I want to fish every day'


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Boxing's lightweight world champion Vasyl Lomachenko has said he has no plans to emulate Manny Pacquiao and fight into his 40s, instead targeting a future of hunting and fishing.

Lomachenko, 31, takes on the next challenge of his record-breaking career when he aims to add the vacant WBC title to his WBA and WBO lightweight belts against fellow Olympic champion Luke Campbell in London on Saturday.

The Ukrainian, who enjoyed an outstanding amateur career, winning Olympic gold in 2008 (featherweight) and 2012 (lightweight) and is believed to have lost just one of his 396 bouts, told the BBC he will retire before he is 40.

Pacquiao became the oldest welterweight world champion in history when, aged 40, he won on a split decision over Keith Thurman in July. Lomachenko is adamant he will not be following suit.

"No, I don't want that, it's too much," he said. "I have trained since I am four years old. I was born a boxer.

"Always, something has to end. I want to hunt, I want to fish every day. Now I can't do this as I train every day.

"My motivation, my goal, is four titles [at lightweight]. After, I don't know what happens. Now it's two more belts."

Campbell matched Lomachenko at the London Olympics in 2012 with gold in the bantamweight division and he will bid to do better than compatriot Anthony Crolla, who was knocked out in the fourth round by the Ukrainian in April.

If Lomachenko is to hold all four world title belts, he will not just need to beat Campbell on Saturday but also target Ghana's Richard Commey, who possesses the IBF crown.

Lomachenko has been breaking records for the speed with which he has amassed world titles in three weight classes, the others being featherweight and junior lightweight. He has fought for world titles in all but one of his 14 professional fights, and the only reason he didn't do so in his debut bout was because it was against the rules.

Lomachenko's one defeat to Orlando Salido came in only his second fight and his first world title bout, for the WBO featherweight belt.

"It's one of my goals and dream to put my name in boxing history," he said. "That's why I started a pro career and fought for a world title in my second fight. I'm the fastest three-weight world champion, so I do everything for legacy."

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