Teofimo Lopez expresses interest in Kambosos clash
FEW fighters have experienced a meteoric rise like Teofimo Lopez.
After a year in the punch-for-pay trade, the unbeaten Brooklyn resident fought for and held a string of legitimate regional titles.
In less than four years, the highly touted 22-year-old lifted a world title, hammering reigning IBF lightweight titleholder Richard Commey in his last outing.
However, the fast-growing Lopez (15-0, 12 KOs) has reached a crossroads, with an agreed title unification with pound-for-pound king Vasiliy Lomachenko on hold due to the boxing lockdown.
With no immediate date and talk of Lomachenko seeking higher-profile opportunities, Lopez concedes the fight could be scrapped if the Ukrainian looks elsewhere.
“That’s the thing. We’ve just got to wait and see,” Lopez told The Fight Guys.
“Obviously, you know who and how we are, me and my father… we’re the type of fighters and people, if we say something, we’re going to back it up. And you know, it shows.
“We said we wanted to fight ‘Loma’ for all the belts, and that’s our goal.”
Despite the uncertainty, Lopez has revealed his desire to make at least one lightweight title defence, before making an inevitable move up to light welterweight, where his long-term future will be.
Among the potential options for Lopez is unbeaten Australian and world rated lightweight George Kambosos (18-0, 10 KOs), who the titleholder labelled as a probable option.
“Whether it happens or not, it’s on him. We’re ready for whatever,” he added.
“If that doesn’t happen, we’ll defend the title. It could be with your guy, George Kambosos (18-0, 10 KOs), or whoever it is, and then we go to 140 (pounds).”
The 26-year-old Kambosos will solidify mandatory status for the IBF crown held by Lopez, if he defeats former featherweight titleholder Lee Selby in Cardiff on July 12.
Photos: Provided
