Richard Commey and Teofimo Lopez battle for the right to challenge Vasiliy Lomachenko!
When: Saturday, December 14
Where: Madison Square Garden
Network: ESPN & ESPN Deportes
Time: 9:00 PM ET
On December 14, IBF world lightweight champion Richard “RC” Commey (29-2, 26 KO’s) will face the #1 contender Teofimo “El Brooklyn” Lopez (14-0, 11 KO’s).
The two will duke it out in the belly of the famed Madison Square Garden on the undercard of Terence Crawford v Egidijus Kavaliaukas. The significant title bout will air live on ESPN.
In many respects this upcoming slugfest has overtones of a crossroads fight. Not that a loss will dissolve either boxers overall future, far from it. However, a defeat in this bout would be crushing to both at this particular juncture in their careers.
SHOT AT THE MAINSTREAM
When Richard Commey begins his ring walk he will do so as a confident champion looking to make the second defense of his IBF title. At the moment he is separated by three years and five consecutive wins, four by stoppage, from a pair of back to back losses.
Back in 2016, RC picked up two consecutive split decision losses to Robert Easter Jr and Denis Shafikov.
Since those defeats, he and his trainer Andre Rozier have made the needed adjustments to become a champion. Come December 14, Team Commey are on a mission to remain champion and break into a new market.
While the tough and hard-hitting Ghanaian is generally viewed as a capable fighter, he lacks the star power of Lopez.
Unlike his opponent, Commey has not benefitted from the strong promotional push that Lopez has experienced on ESPN. Having provided a number of brutal, highlight knockouts El Brooklyn has been presented as one of the next big fighters by the influential network.
RC understands that he can potentially commandeer this ready-made fan base by delivering Lopez a sound in-ring trouncing. And that will be his main focal point on Saturday.
STRIVING FOR CREDIBILTY
When Lopez challenges for Commey’s IBF belt it will be for more than just championship status. He will be fighting to prove that he belongs on this level and is not a mere short-lived hype job.
As it is in the often fickle world of boxing, Lopez’ overall merit was brought into doubt following his last outing against Masayoshi Nakatani.
The taller, and longer, Japanese fighter gave El Brooklyn quite a bit of problems in route to his unanimous decision win. The toilsome bout with Nakatani was a far cry away from his recent dominant performances.
Therefore, in the wake of the prizefight a number of boxing heads openly wondered had Lopez reached his ceiling or was it just an off night in the office?
Besides the obvious benefit of acquiring the IBF world lightweight title, Lopez wants the prestige that comes with Commey’s scalp. Provided El Brooklyn bests RC in dominant fashion it will be the perfect audition, or invitation, for a unification bout with WBO and WBA Vasiliy “Hi-Tech” Lomachenko (14-1, 10 KO’s).
Lopez has remained vocal about seeking a fight with Hi-Tech.
An impressive win over Commey would also serve as the perfect set up for Lopez to face WBC world lightweight champion Devin “The Dream” Haney (24-0, 15 KO’s). Regardless of his next move, successfully getting past the IBF champion is of paramount importance.
TO THE VICTOR GOES THE SPOILS
Without a doubt, the stakes are high in this prizefight. One fighter is chasing validation and his dreams of becoming a champion. His opponent wants to defend his belt while simultaneously breaking into a bigger marketing audience.
A loss by Lopez likely result in his being labeled a “media creation.”
A loss by Commey could lead to being tossed back into obscurity.
Neither want this outcome, but only one can prevail. Tune in on Saturday, December 14 to see who it is.
By: Bakari Simpson
