Can Teofimo Lopez become a back-to-back undisputed champion?!
When unified WBA super, WBO and IBF world lightweight champion Teofimo “El Brooklyn” Lopez (16-0, 12 KO’s) defeated Vasiliy “Hi-Tech” Lomachenko (14-2, 10 KO’s), it was a great moment in his career. Unfortunately, the bout was deceptively billed as a prizefight to determine the undisputed lightweight champion. This was due to Lomachenko being in possession of the WBC’s ridiculous “Franchise” belt. Which is not an actual title and therefore the owner is not a legitimate champion.
The true WBC world lightweight championship title is held by Devin “The Dream” Haney (24-0, 15 KO’s). Luckily, during the post-fight conference, Lopez confirmed that he was very willing and ready to tangle with the Dream. Not only that, he said that he was willing to fight him next. Yet, Haney would first have to overcome the challenge of Yuriorkis “El Ciclion de Guantanamo” Gamboa (30-3, 18 KO’s), who he fights on November 7.
POTENTIAL HISTORIC OPPORTUNITIES AT 140
Assuming that Haney came out on top and Lopez indeed fought him next, then Lopez would find himself in a legitimate bout to determine the undisputed lightweight champion of the world. The two undefeated young guns should make for one action-packed showdown if it came to pass. But the good times, and historic feats, could just be beginning for El Brooklyn.
He and his father, Teofimo Lopez Sr, who doubles as his chief second, have made it no secret that they are mulling over a move to 140. If they did make the jump, naturally they would be looking for the best competition in the division.
And as fate would have it, WBC and WBO world super lightweight champion Jose Carlos Ramirez (26-0, 17 KO’s) and IBF and WBA super world super lightweight champion Josh Taylor’s promotional companies are currently in talks. If everything goes smoothly, the two should collide early in 2021 to determine an undisputed super lightweight champion.
LOPEZ FANS WISHING ON A STAR
If Lopez fought Haney next, and was victorious, and Ramirez fought Taylor next, El Brooklyn could move up to fight the undisputed super lightweight champion.
If these events follow this formula, the Brooklyn bruiser could realistically find himself in back-to-back undisputed bouts. Or three, if you count the WBC’s generic knockoff undisputed bout he was just engaged in with Lomachenko. Granted there are numerous moving parts in this equation, but fundamentally the scenario is very doable.
Only time will tell what comes to pass with Lopez and these fellow champions. Although, the idea of competing in two consecutive undisputed bouts is fun to think about. And if El Brooklyn did find himself winning both of these potential bouts, there would be no ceiling to his potential fame and legacy.
Let us see how it all plays out.
By: Bakari Simpson
