Richard Commey set to make his second title defense against Teofimo Lopez!
IBF lightweight world champion Richard “RC” Commey will defend his title against human highlight film and Brooklyn native Teofimo Lopez as part of an ESPN/ESPN Deportes triple-header that includes WBO champion Terence Crawford vs #1 contender Egidijus Kavaliauskas.
Promoted by Top Rank, in association with DiBella Entertainment and MTK Global, tickets priced at $506, $306, $206, $106 and $56 (not including applicable fees) go on sale Friday, October 18 at 12 p.m. ET and can be purchased at the Madison Square Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster charge by phone (866-858-0008) and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.MSG.com.
The undercard, with fights to be announced in the coming weeks, will stream exclusively on ESPN+, the leading multi-sport streaming service, starting at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT.
Richard Commey (29-2, 24 KOs)
Commey has had a career year, winning the vacant IBF lightweight title February 2 in Frisco, Texas with a devastating second-round TKO over Isa Chaniev.
He defended the belt June 29, knocking down former lightweight world champion Ray Beltran down four times before stopping him in the eighth round. A native of, Accra, Ghana, he has won four in a row by knockout.
Teofimo Lopez (14-0, 11 KOs)
Lopez, at 22 years old, is one of boxing’s budding superstars a big-punching, big-talking fighter who has become the sport’s latest viral sensation.
His post-fight Fortnite celebrations and backflips are the exclamation point to his highlight-reel knockouts. He fought last year on the post-Heisman Trophy celebration telecast, knocking out Mason Menard in 44 seconds and then putting on the jersey of Heisman winner Kyler Murray.
Lopez is 3-0 in 2019, most recently prevailing via 12-round decision July 19 over Japanese veteran Masayoshi Nakatani in a title eliminator.
“I’m very excited to fight at the Mecca of Boxing, Madison Square Garden, in my second world title defense against Teofimo Lopez.
“My lifelong dream of becoming a world champion became a reality through many years of hard work in my homeland of Ghana through the UK, Europe and finally in the United States. I want to thank everyone on my team for making this possible.
On December 14, I will put on another spectacular performance in defending my world title for my fans in the arena and those watching on ESPN and around the world.”
Richard Commey – IBF Lightweight Champion
“Richard has fought all over the world for many years to achieve his lifelong dream of not only becoming a true world champion, but also becoming a boxing star.
“On December 14 against Teofimo Lopez, I believe that he will successfully defend his title for the second time in spectacular fashion.”
Lou DiBella – Promoter for Commey
“I’m finally back at Madison Square Garden, the place where I always wanted to win my first world title.
“I believe this fight will shut up all of the critics and prove to everyone that I back up my talking in the ring.
“I respect Commey as a champion, but when we’re in that ring, it’s going to be lights out for him. Come December 14, I am officially taking over the lightweight division.”
Teofimo Lopez – IBF #1 Contender
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