The source said Lomachenko considers Suarez a “tune-up fight,” but the matchup carries major title implications because Suarez currently holds the WBO mandatory position at 130 pounds.
In victory, Lomachenko would place himself directly in line for a fight against unified WBO/IBF super featherweight champion Emanuel Navarrete.
Suarez became the WBO mandatory challenger after his controversial 2025 no-contest against Navarrete, a fight many fans believed the unbeaten Filipino deserved to win before the result was overturned.
The reported plan drew criticism from some fans on X, who questioned why Lomachenko would target a fighter viewed as a tune-up after previously being linked to bigger names. Others pointed to Suarez’s unbeaten record and disputed fight with Navarrete as evidence that the Filipino contender presents a far tougher return than a typical comeback opponent.
Navarrete (40-2-1, 33 KOs) recently acknowledged the possibility of facing Lomachenko in the future while speaking to ESPN Knockout.
“If he comes for me, then [I’ll] focus on him,” said Navarrete.
The Mexican champion also praised Lomachenko’s accomplishments after the Ukrainian star stepped away from boxing following his 2024 win over George Kambosos Jr.
“He’s already done more than enough, right?” Navarrete said. “He’s done a lot of impressive and very good things.”
BoxingScene also reported Wednesday that no meaningful negotiations have taken place between Lomachenko’s representatives and those connected to WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis, another name frequently linked to the former unified champion.
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