Many are expecting Teofimo Lopez and Vasiliy Lomachenko to serve up the ‘Fight of the year’ when the lightweight kings meet at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas this Saturday, but the Honduran-American believes we should anticipate something even more dramatic.
The outspoken yet heavy-handed Lopez feels he can earn another accolade altogether by finishing unified champion Lomachenko with the ‘Knockout of the year’.
Bold words, perhaps, but Lopez is a natural puncher with the talent and physicality to present Lomachenko with the toughest night of his pro career.
“I feel very strong. I am ready for this Saturday,” IBF king Lopez (15-0, 12 KOs) told ESPN Deportes.
“A lot of people want to see this fight and say it’s the fight of the year. I am very proud of that, because Teofimo fighting with another boxer like Vasiliy Lomachenko is going to be a good fight. We are preparing for 12 rounds, but God willing, if we can catch him, we will try to finish the fight right there.
“It’s going to be a tough fight for him. I am young, he is 32 years old and, not only that, I am very big at this weight. I feel like lightweight is too big for him, he does better at 130 or 126lbs. We’re going to make the fight and [win] by knockout. A lot of people say it’s the fight of the year and I feel like we’re going to deliver the knockout of the year.”
Main image: IBF lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez. Photo: Mikey Williams/Top Rank.