Bob Arum throws shade on rematches and Eddie Hearn
On October 31, WBA super and WBO world lightweight champion Vasiliy “Hi-Tech” Lomachenko (14-1, 10 KO’s) will take on IBF world lightweight champion Teofimo “El Brooklyn” Lopez (15-0, 12 KO’s) in a high anticipated unification bout. Somewhat shocking to many boxing fans is the revelation that there is no rematch clause. In prizefights of this magnitude, it is commonplace to have such a stipulation worked into the contract. Regardless of that fact, during a recent presser, Top Rank founder Bob Arum said he was having no parts of it. Yet, being the savvy promoter that he is, he explained why while taking a jab at rival Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn.
“I don’t believe in rematch clauses. Rematch clauses are in essence overused thanks to our friend Eddie Hearn. He puts a rematch clause in every contract and that may indicate that he is not confident in how his fighters will perform. As far as I am concerned, let them fight. There will be a winner, there will be a loser and if down the road they want a rematch, that’s up to them. But I am not requiring, and I don’t like to require, a rematch in any contract that I do.”
A BOUT FOR ALL THE MARBLES!!!
As a promoter who has a long standing reputation for preferring to stage in-house fights as much as possible, this is not a surprising viewpoint. It also certainly does not hurt that both Lopez and Lomachenko are both Top Rank boxers!
RELATED: Teofimo Lopez: “I’m Not Going To Rely On Just Size Against Lomachenko”
So regardless of the outcome, all the belts associated with the fight, along with the pugilists in the ring, will remain Top Rank commodities. Naturally, the two champions were already highly motivated for the impending clash. Yet, the lack of a rematch clause has to put a few more invigorating coals into their internal fire.
Although, it will be interesting to see how the loser reacts in the aftermath of the unification bout. With so much to gain or lose, it is beyond difficult to believe that whoever comes up short will not be raving for a rematch. Guess we will just have to tune in and see how it all plays out this Halloween!
By: Bakari Simpson
