Teofimo Lopez Open to Fighting Devin Haney Next
After toppling multidivisional champion Vasiliy “Hi-Tech’ Lomachenko (14-2, 10 KO’s) in grand fashion, folks are already asking the newly unified WBA super, WBO and IBF world lightweight champion Teofimo “El Brooklyn” Lopez (16-0, 12 KO’s) what’s next? For the last several months, his father and coach has indicated that he will move up to 140. However, some say that there is unfinished business at lightweight.
For political and marketing reasons, the Lopez v Lomachenko fight was supposedly going to crown an undisputed champion. Sadly, that narrative departs from reality. It is a fictional statement because Devin “The Dream” Haney (24-0, 15 KO’s) is still running around with the actual WBC world lightweight championship title. Lopez is the new owner of the WBC’s fictional “Franchise” belt.
Naturally, a great deal of boxing enthusiasts want to know if he is going to face Haney to actually become the undisputed champion. But, will he do it?
RUNNING FROM NO MAN!
When confronted with the inquiry in the post-fight conference, Lopez indicated that taking on the Dream was not a problem.
“I don’t mind beating the two-time email world champion! That would be fine. I know a lot of people are already saying that this is not for undisputed because of that. Whatever with [WBC president] Mauricio Sulaimán and whatever he did, but I just got a belt that said Franchise World champion from the WBC.”
“And you got a guy like Devin Haney fighting Gamboa, a washed out Gamboa just for a record that he wants to keep safe and pretty. I can fight those guys, I don’t mind it…If I took that fight it’s just for bragging rights, just to shut him up and destroy his career. That’s really what it is, I don’t care. That’s the type of person that I am.”
SAY THAT AGAIN?!
Hearing these words should be a great relief to boxing purists who would like an actual undisputed lightweight champion crowned. Although, if they fought, it’d be very fun to hear the WBC explain how Lopez was fighting two back-to-back bouts to determine undisputed! But first things first, let us just try to get the real prizefight for undisputed signed, sealed and delivered. Assuming that Haney gets past Gamboa that is!
By: Bakari Simpson
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