Teofimo Lopez Sr.: “I Wasn’t Thinking About Lomachenko But After This Performance, The Public Wants To See This Fight, I Think I Can Convince My Son To Fight Him Again”

By: Hans Themistode

Teofimo Lopez Sr. at all times believed that regardless of the naysayers, his son, Teofimo Lopez, would get the job accomplished in opposition to Vasiliy Lomachenko. The 2 clashed in mid-October final 12 months in a light-weight unification bout.

To the shock of many, Lopez walked away with the decisive win. Since then, Lopez Sr. has proven little to little interest in inserting his son in a rematch with Lomachenko whatever the Ukrainian claiming that he wasn’t 100% attributable to an injured shoulder. Within the thoughts of Lopez Sr., he was merely satisfied that Lomachenko was on the downslide in his profession and half two could be even much less aggressive. Nonetheless, after watching Lomachenko dismantle, toy and finally cease extremely rated contender Masayoshi Nakatani, Lopez Sr. is now keen to run issues again.

“I wasn’t fascinated by Lomachenko previously,” mentioned Lopez Sr. as he spoke to promoter Bob Arum after the battle. “However after this efficiency, I believe that the general public needs to see this battle. I believe I can persuade my son to battle him once more.”

Lomachenko, 33, aimed to make an announcement final evening on the Virgins Lodge, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Whereas the pound-for-pound star may have opted for a light-weight contact for his comeback opponent as he was coming off shoulder surgical procedure, he as a substitute set his sights on Nakatani. Not solely did he select the Japanese product as a result of he respects his ability set but additionally as a result of he had a plan in place.

In July of 2019, Nakatani gave Lopez all he may deal with on the MGM Nationwide Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland. Though Lopez would finally win by way of huge unanimous determination, it was by far essentially the most tough evening of Lopez’s younger profession. To show that he may win if given one other likelihood, Lomachenko believed that if he defeated Nakatani decisively, it might place him within the driver’s seat for a rematch with Lopez.

By all accounts, the plan of Lomachenko seems to be going precisely the best way he envisioned it. However earlier than he steps into the ring with Lopez once more, the unified light-weight titlist has some enterprise to take care of as necessary challenger George Kambosos Jr. is subsequent on his record. The 2 have been initially scheduled to face off in mid-June. However, attributable to a constructive COVID-19 take a look at outcome produced by Lopez, their showdown has been moved to mid-August.

For Lopez Sr., as soon as his son has absolutely recovered from the lethal illness, he’ll simply deal with Kambosos Jr. Then from there, each he and Arum can start negotiations for Lopez vs. Lomachenko II.

“After Kambosos it may be made,” mentioned Lopez Sr. “It’s going to be the largest battle on the planet. We will make it occur in December within the Madison Sq. Backyard. I gotta discuss to him.”