Teofimo Lopez open for a fight with Josh Taylor
Who is WBA super, WBO and IBF world lightweight champion Teofimo “Take Over” Lopez (16-0, 12 KO’s) going to fight next? This is one of the bigger headscratchers in the division. Ever since the brash young champion defeated Vasiliy “Hi-Tech” Lomachenko (14-2, 10 KO’s), boxing heads wanted to: now what? Hell, both Lopezs, father and fighter, have remained fairly ambiguous on what weight class they will even be in.
There is a growing perception that he needs to fight WBC world lightweight champion Devin “The Dream” Haney (25-0, 15 KO’s). Haney has been sniffing around for a clash since well before they were champions. The Dream also has the last belt preventing Lopez from truly being undisputed. Along with his legitimate lightweight titles, the Take Over has the WBC’s giggle-inducing ‘top flight security’ trinket, the ‘Franchise Champion’ belt.
Overall though, his options are lush. He could easily take a fight with the aforementioned Haney, rematch Loma or take on regular WBA world lightweight champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis (24-0, 23 KO’s). All three of the bouts are bonafide tests and commercially appealing. All three bouts have built-in storylines.
The Haney dust-up has divisional and historical significance. In the case of Lomachenko, who was coming on strong in the second half, there is the potential revenge factor. A clash with Tank would be like watching two trains collide. Few can not get behind talented power-punchers hashing it out in the ring.
IF I JUMP UP
However, there is still the chance that Lopez may go ahead and jump up to super lightweight. Given the opportunity, the Take Over would love to get his hands on IBF and WBA world super lightweight champion Josh “The Tartan Tornado” Taylor (17-0, 13 KO’s). At the moment however, Taylor is trying to work out his own fight for undisputed with WBC and WBO world super lightweight champion Jose “Jaguar” Ramirez (26-0, 17 KO’s).
The last major hurdle to that bout was Taylor’s mandatory Apinun Khongsong (16-1, 13 KO’s). Luckily, the Tartan Tornado blew him out of the way with a first round stoppage. Nevertheless, if Lopez had his chance, as told to IFL TV, he would very much enjoy a duel with Taylor.
“If we make the Josh Taylor fight happen, I don’t know if they got you going with Jose Ramirez. But after you’re done with that, I’ll say it like this, I don’t mind kicking some Scottish ass! I get in there and bob and weave and tax that ass! But overall I think it would be a great fight. I’d definitely love to show everybody what I am all about and what they really can see going to 140.”
By: Bakari Simpson
