Bob Arum Eyes Mid-2026 Lomachenko vs O'Shaquie Foster at 130

Bob Arum isn't waiting for the ink to dry. Hours after O'Shaquie Foster edged Emanuel Navarrete — a 40-2-1 (33 KO) champion holding the IBF and WBO straps — the veteran promoter was already floating a mid-2026 clash between Foster and Vasiliy Lomachenko, who sat ringside and used the moment to announce his own comeback.

The catch is that neither man walks straight into it. Arum says Lomachenko's first assignment back is likely Charly Suarez, the unbeaten Filipino currently ranked #8 at super featherweight with a 19-0 (11 KO) ledger and a one-round demolition of Manuel Ávila on his last outing. Foster, meanwhile, has his own business to handle before any marquee date gets locked in.

A Fight Arum Rated Higher Than the Cards

Arum was complimentary about Foster's night, calling it a disciplined performance against an awkward opponent. He noted that Navarrete throws from a cluster of unusual angles, which makes him a genuine puzzle, and that he personally had Foster slightly ahead heading into the final round before scoring that last frame three points wide. That's the kind of margin that explains why Arum came away satisfied rather than relieved.

On Lomachenko, the tone shifted from technical to reverential. Arum said the Ukrainian is in strong shape, has been grinding in a Puerto Rico gym, and genuinely misses the sport after time away. He added that he holds deep respect for Lomachenko and his father, suggesting the pair understand boxing on a level he never will.

What Loma Actually Wants

The ambition is narrow and specific. According to Arum, Lomachenko isn't chasing weight-class tourism — he wants 130 pounds and he wants every belt in the division unified. That puts Foster, Navarrete and the rest of the super featherweight picture squarely in his path, assuming the comeback goes to plan.

So the roadmap reads like this: Lomachenko through Suarez, Foster through whatever's next, then a possible collision in the summer. Plenty can derail it — Suarez is undefeated for a reason, and Foster just proved he can grind out a champion over twelve. But if the pieces hold, Arum's selling one of the more intriguing 130-pound matchups on the calendar.