WBA Lightweight champion Vasyl Lomachenko confirmed via his Instagram that his shoulder surgery that kept him off of a proposed August 25 return to the ring was successful and is looking to return as soon as possible. The pound for pound star was intending on returning next month after stopping long reigning champion Jorge Linares to face off against fellow Top Rank champion Rey Beltran in a unification match. Beltran remains on the 8/25 card to defend his title against Ex-Jr. Lightweight champ Jose Pedraza in Los Angeles.

Though Lomachenko’s post alluded to the possibility of him returning for an August fight, the severity of his injury and subsequent recovery would push his return to late Fall at best, with a December date having already been penciled in by Top Rank. Many believed that the much rumored bout between Lomachenko and fading legend Manny Pacquiao could happen on that date, but the likely scenario is that Lomachenko would be facing off against the winner of Beltran/Pedraza before eyeing bigger fights in 2019.

While a Pacquiao/Lomachenko superfight would easily be the biggest fight the prodigious champion can find himself in, Lomachenko’s team has been hesitant to pursue the fight and may even be more so should Pacquiao look particularly impressive this weekend against Lucas Matthysse. A potential rematch with Linares or a grudge match with Jr. Lightweight champion Gervonta Davis may also be on tap if Pacquiao falls through.

Either way, Lomachenko is not looking for a break or looking to squander his incredible momentum as he continues his rise not only in the pound for pound ratings, but as a central figure of the sport.