By Alexey Sukachev

According to “Vzglyad” (“The Gaze”), a Ukrainian media source, Vasyl Lomachenko is strongly expected to strike a deal with Top Rank by the end of this week, ending the ongoing saga of when the boxer would go pro; a saga which seemed next-to-eternal for some mortals. Presently, Team Lomachenko, led by his father Anatoly, is carefully evaluating every detail of the proposed agreement. No sums were disclosed but sources indicate a figure of $2,000,000 USD as Vasyl’s annual salary.

Lomachenko is a two-time Olympic golde medal winner (2008 as a featherweight and 2012 as a lightweight) and a two-time world champion (2009 and 2011). He widely regarded by many to be the best amateur fighter of his generation. His reported record at unpaid ranks is 396-1, with an only loss coming at the hands of his bitter rival Albert Selimov at the 2007 WC final in Chicago. That loss was well avenged during the Beijing Olympics, where Lomachenko was also awarded the Val Barker trophy.

Meanwhile, Lomachenko’s teammate and fellow world and Olympic champion Olexander Usik wasn’t offered the same type of contract from a financial standpoint, according to the same source. Despite his amateur pedigree and achievements, Usik is considered to be a welcome add-on package for Lomachenko rather than an independent force.

"I’ll consider all of my options and choose the best situation,” Usik said.