By Ruslan Chikov
The number one amateur fighter in the world, featherweight Vasyl Lomachenko, 22, will remain in the amateur ranks until after the 2012 Olympic games. Lomachenko won a silver medal at the 2007 World Amateur Boxing Championships, a gold medal at the 2009 World Amateur Boxing Championships and the gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the featherweight division.
Lomachenko's father Anatoly told him to remain as an amateur until his body fully develops.
"When I was in Milan and won the world championship, there was a feeling of happiness. After the fight I went to the locker room to dress, sat on a bench and sighed, said Lomachenko to Gazeta.ua.
"I wanted to go pro, but my father stopped me. He said that we should wait until the body is fully formed, and I reach an age where my body stops growing and then I can finish my amateur career. Right now the deadline [to go pro], will come after the Olympics 2012 in London."
