Teofimo Lopez Sr Says Vasiliy Lomachenko Rematch Has To Happen After George Kambosos fight!
It appears that a rematch between unified lightweight champion Teofimo “The Takeover” Lopez (16-0, 12KOs) and former unified champion Vasiliy “Hi-Tech” Lomachenko (15-2, 11KOs) could be on tap for later this year. Although as we reported previously, Lopez Jr had no interest whatsoever in a rematch with Lomachenko. However, his father/trainer is singing a different tune!
In October 2020, Lopez would pull off a major upset and unseating Hi-Tech in their twelve round title fight. In the process, he secured belts for three of the four major sanctioning bodies. He also claimed the “Franchise Champion” status of the WBC but not the version of the title that is recognized by the other three sanctioning bodies. That title is currently held by Devin Haney.
Lopez got off to a fast start to win the majority of the early round before Lomachenko would come surging back in the second half of the bout. Ultimately the slow start would be his undoing, losing a unanimous decision at the end of the night.
Now on the comeback trail, Lomachenko would get things started with a decisive beat down of Masayoshi Nakatani who is ranked in the top ten in all four sanctioning bodies. This the man who gave Lopez major problems in their July 2019 fight. Clicking on all cylinders, the Ukrainian multi-weight champion would batter the Japanese fighter en route to a ninth round TKO win.
A CHANGE IN THINKING?
On hand at the fight was Teofimo Lopez Sr joined by Bob Arum as he was being interviewed and the topic of a rematch. The father/trainer of the unified champion would say the following.
“You know what? I wasn’t thinking about Lomachenko in the past, but after this performance I think the public wants to see this fight. I think that I can convince my son to fight him again. After Kambosos it can be made.”
“It’s [going to] be the biggest fight in the world and we can make it happen in December in Madison Square Garden like we always do you know? My son’s record in the Madison Square is (6-0) with six knockouts. You already know that.”
“So why can’t we make it happen there? You know? But I gotta talk to him.”
From the comments it seems like Bob Arum and Lopez Sr are on the same page. However if Lopez Jr isn’t none of this really matters. We all know that both parties had their fair share of differences. That’s in part one of the reasons why Lopez Jr’s next fight is taking place on Triller next instead of ESPN.
But it seems as if all things have been smoothed out. First Lopez Jr’s must successfully make his first title defense against George Kambosos on August 14.
By: Jerrell Fletcher
