Teofimo Lopez v Sandor Martin On After Pedraza Drops Out
In boxing’s circle of life, issues preventing a potential matchup somehow have a way of working themselves out. That is the case for junior welterweights Teofimo Lopez (17-1, 13 KOs) and Sandor Martin (40-2, 13 KOs). Lopez was to face Jose Pedraza on December 10 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. However, Pedraza withdrew due to illness.
With Lopez and his promoter, Top Rank, committed to preserving that date, who fills in for Pedraza, you may ask? According to ESPN, Martin has agreed to a deal to face Lopez on that same date and locale.
There’s recent history between Martin and Lopez. In November 2022, the WBC ordered an elimination fight between the two. As 3Kings Boxing reported on November 10, Lopez responded by saying they previously tried to make a match with Martin. In response, Martin alleged he was ready, but Team Lopez decided to move on. As it turns out, they will square off after all.
BOTH MEN ARE ON A MISSION
At one time, Lopez was on top of the world. A former unified lightweight champ, he was on the path to superstardom. But in November 2021, the pride of Brooklyn, New York lost his title by a shocking upset decision loss to George Kambosos Jr. Deciding to move up in weight, Lopez made his junior welterweight debut with a seventh-round TKO Pedro Campa in August 2022. He is on a quest to become a two-division champion.
Up next is Martin, hungry to prove that he’s an elite fighter at 140. The product of Barcelona, Spain grabbed the attention of the boxing world when he upset four-division world champion Mikey Garcia by a unanimous decision in October 2021. He followed that up with a dominant ten-round decision win over Jose Felix in April 2022.
Lopez is ranked #1 WBO, #3 WBC, #6 IBF, and #7 WBO. Martin is ranked #5 WBC, #6 WBO, #11 by the WBA, and #15 IBF.
ONE OF THE BEST FIGHTS IN THE DIVISION
When on his A-game, the ex-lightweight champion combines boxing skills with explosive, two-fisted punching power. Martin is a skilled technician with good hand- and footspeed and is comfortable in all areas of the ring. On paper, this fight has the potential to be a close, tightly contested battle.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
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