Teofimo Lopez pursues boxing takeover with Triller – Orange County Register

Teofimo Lopez refers to himself because the “Takeover” as a result of he envisioned himself as a boxing celebrity lengthy earlier than he took over the light-weight division because the undisputed champion.

Eight months in the past, Lopez anticipated to defeat Vasiliy Lomachenko, who on the time was considered the perfect pound-for-pound boxer, however Lopez was caught off guard when he held the Ring Journal belt, the title that serves as a reminder that he’s the one who beat the person.

“Had it in my palms and it made me cry,” Lopez stated in regards to the lineal belt that’s been round almost a century. “The Ring Journal been within the recreation the longest since 1922 with Jack Dempsey and so many different nice champions which have carried that belt.”

At age 23, Lopez remains to be aiming to take over the game because the face of boxing, however he stated he’s taking child steps, ones that may require dangers.

Lopez took a danger by leaving his promoter, Prime Rank, and ESPN – the printed associate of Prime Rank – to affix the just lately based Triller Battle Membership for a one-fight partnership. Lopez will make his first undisputed title protection towards George Kambosos Jr. on June 19 to headline a Triller pay-per-view broadcast from LoanDepot Park in Miami.

Lopez (16-0, 12 KOs) declined Prime Rank’s preliminary supply, which was reportedly $1.25 million, to struggle Kambosos (19-0, 10 KOs) on ESPN with thousands and thousands watching, however Lopez pushed for a handbag bid and the gamble paid off with Triller profitable the rights to broadcast the struggle. Lopez stated he expects to make round $8 million for the upcoming bout.

“Triller Battle Membership and Triller, they know precisely what they’re doing,” Lopez stated. “With the quantity of leisure that I’m really going to be concerned in with these guys and the quantity of expertise that they’ve right here, it’s phenomenal and I can’t imagine it. Generally it’s like, ‘Whoa.’”

Maybe Lopez gained’t have the identical viewership numbers by not preventing on ESPN, however Triller has made an prompt affect on the boxing panorama by distributing a recent broadcast that appeals to a youthful viewers. Triller made headlines and offered quite a few viral content material by internet hosting the Mike Tyson-Roy Jones Jr. and Jake Paul-Ben Askren bouts up to now yr.

The Lopez-Kambosos occasion will likely be hosted by celebrities Mario Lopez and Snoop Dogg, and Triller just lately added Corridor of Fame boxing announcer Jim Lampley. The cardboard may also function performances by hip-hop artist Meek Mill and reggaeton acts Myke Towers, Farruko, Lunay and Gente De Zona.

“I’ll danger it each time for myself,” Lopez stated. “I’ll guess on myself and I’ll double down each time. It’s not in regards to the cash. It’s in regards to the respect … I’m the undisputed light-weight champion, then deal with him just like the undisputed light-weight champion.

“However hey, issues occur and at the very least Triller noticed it. Now we’re within the ‘TrillerManila’ and we’re simply doing our factor, so it’s simply that now. I’m giving them the flavour. I’m giving them the sauce. I’m giving them the issues they need to see from a fighter standpoint. And the leisure half is what I’m going to carry. I’m not only a boxer, I’m not a brawler, I’m an entertainer when it’s all stated and executed.”

POTENTIAL LOPEZ-HANEY BOUT

Lopez stated there are not any laborious emotions between him and Prime Rank.

“We’re cordial,” Lopez stated about Prime Rank. “We’re companions in a roundabout way proper now in the meanwhile. Ain’t nothing private. It’s simply enterprise.”

Lopez stated Prime Rank just lately tried to barter a struggle for him with Devin Haney’s representatives. Haney holds a bit of the WBC light-weight title and doesn’t view Lopez because the undisputed champion.

“Let’s make the (specific) struggle occur,” Lopez stated about Haney. “You’re saying this and also you’re saying that. Earlier this week, you had been supposed to fulfill with my promoter Bob Arum and y’all pulled out, so we will negotiate this struggle.”

SHIP HAS SAILED ON LOMACHENKO

Lopez stated he’s aiming to knock out Kambosos and is pushing to struggle Haney subsequent, however he doesn’t see a rematch with Lomachenko taking place.

Lopez stated there’s no level in preventing Lomachenko once more as a result of he gained by a large margin on the scorecards for a unanimous resolution in October.

“That ship has sailed with Vasiliy Lomachenko,” Lopez stated. “I beat him truthful and sq.. I scored it 9-3. I don’t know what he’s speaking about with a draw and all that. That’s due to his satisfaction and when the ego is available in. He is aware of he misplaced.”