While a fight with George Kambosos Jr is around the corner, lightweight king Teofimo Lopez says his future lies at 140lbs.
The undisputed lightweight champion has had a frustrating time since his stunning victory over Vasyl Lomachenko just under a year ago. And while he enjoyed the fruits of his labours, it has been a prolonged process trying to get Lopez and his IBF mandatory challenger in the ring. Covid-19 and location issues have been two of the factors in the delay but finally they will get it on at Madison Square Garden on October 4.
Speaking to ESPN Lopez believes he will knock the Australian out in one round next month and is then gunning for the undisputed super-lightweight champion Josh Taylor.
“I did everything at 135, become undisputed, now it’s about going to 140 and becoming undisputed at 140,” he said.
“Josh Taylor, kudos to him, undisputed at 140. You gotta give respect where respect is at. The man went out there, he fought Jose Ramirez, a tough Mexican fighter that always comes forward. I’m always gonna respect everybody and what they do but when the going gets tough and you come in front of me it’s all business.”
Lopez told ESPN he wants two more fights this year and suggested fighting Taylor, perhaps at a catch-weight, in November seemingly unaware that his Top Rank stable-mate has his own mandatory challenger to face on December 18 in the shape of Jack Catterall.
Lopez, meanwhile, says that fights have been offered to his biggest rivals at 135lbs and suggested that they have no interest in fighting him.
“It’s not me, it’s them. They don’t want to fight me. We’ve offered so many chances to these guys and they’ve always backed down. When the going gets tough they back off.”