Teófimo López (16-0, 12 KOs) takes on the capital of the world in one of its most special weekends. Usually the days after Thanksgiving boxing are calm, but not in 2021. The Unified Lightweight Champion speaks up and does so in a very strange fight that should have been played by now. It was scheduled for June and after a lot of discussion and words, it will be this Saturday (DAZN).
The 24-year-old American of Honduran origin (he also has Spanish roots), beat Vasyl Lomachenko last October. The young man broke all the forecasts and established himself as one of the best of the moment. It was a fight and he had to show it in the sequel. A lot has been discussed, but the IBF led the way first. This body was of which López was champion, so the first proxy was his. The body ordered a match against George Kambosos (19-0, 10 KOs). The lawsuit was put up for auction and was won by Triller, promoter Mike Tyson. They were both going to have their biggest paychecks… but it all went wrong. First the duel was going to take place in June, but Teofimo contracted the covid. It went to August, a very early date because the fighter had not recovered. October seemed like the scheduled date and the dancing started. Triller and Teofimo spent the duel from October 5 to 4 and when there were a few days left they wanted to move it to 16. Kambosos refused and the IBF spoke up: Triller lost the advanced money (they say they lost 1.5 million) and Matchroom, second in the auction, took over the rights. The English did not hesitate. They spoke to the parties and booked Madison Square Garden for this Saturday.
Many controversies have thus been settled, because Teofimo and his father have fun at the microphone and sometimes they talk too much. Kambosos also heated up the fight with various statements. There are pending accounts in between. López has a job. In addition to his rival he will still have to prove. A year is a long time in boxing and it must be enjoyable not to be forgotten by the average fan. Pressure from Malvaroucha for the young man: like, demonstrate and make his first defense as undisputed. Almost nothing. This mental plane may or may not be decisive. On paper, the advantage appears to be for the champion. The sporting performances are undeniable and Kambosos has in no way the background of his rival. He’s a good fighter, but he has to prove it in a big date. Therefore, the extra sporting thing brings more morbidity than the sporting thing. If Teofimo is at his level, he shouldn’t have a problem … but there are many unfinished business for him in the Garden.
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