A couple of days ago, Teofimo Lopez claimed that he would knock out fellow 140lbs champion Subriel Matias in just four rounds. Now, the Puerto-Rican has responded, and revealed that Lopez has accepted a deal for a unification bout.
Matias has proven himself as a formidable power-puncher in the 140 division, accumulating a record of 20-1, with all twenty of those wins coming by way of knockout.
Back in February, the 31-year-old announced himself as a world level fighter, defeating Jeremias Ponce for the IBF super-lightweight crown with a fifth-round stoppage. Last month, Matias made his first defence of the belt, stopping Shohjahon Ergashev, also in the fifth-round.
On ‘The Porter Way Podcast’, Lopez declared that he would stop his fellow champion inside four rounds.
On social media, the IBF Champion responded to Lopez and told his fans that a fight between the two has been agreed, but announced that he would prefer a later date than the one that has been suggested to him.
“I know you accepted the fight perfectly, just one detail, don’t take the February date, let’s make it happen at the end of March or beginning of April, let’s give the fans what they want to see. Write down your 2nd defeat and first defeat by NoMas’Tias”
As for the other two belts in the division, the WBC title is up for grabs on Saturday night as Regis Prograis defends against former undisputed lightweight king Devin Haney.
Meanwhile, Rolando Romero holds the WBA belt, and will be made to make a first defence of his champion status as he prepares to face the winner of Ismael Barroso-Ohara Davies in the first half of 2024. He is currently Champion In Recess due to injury.