via Getty
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 17: Teofimo Lopez Jr celebrates after defeating Vasiliy Lomachenko (not pictured) in their Lightweight World Title bout at MGM Grand Las Vegas Conference Center on October 17, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank via Getty Images)
via Getty
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 17: Teofimo Lopez Jr celebrates after defeating Vasiliy Lomachenko (not pictured) in their Lightweight World Title bout at MGM Grand Las Vegas Conference Center on October 17, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank via Getty Images)
There has been a fresh development in the potential return for new lightweight king, Teofimo Lopez. The undefeated champion may have his next opponent chosen for him, and the much awaited Devin Haney fight could be put on hold.
via Getty
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 20: Teofimo Lopez celebrates his fifth round knockout of Edis Tatli during their lightweight fight at Madison Square Garden on April 20, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Lopez has been on the lookout for an opponent for the past few weeks. As a result, he has engaged in multiple verbal battles with fellow champion Devin Haney. However, it now looks like he may have to fulfill his mandatory obligation first.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Dan Rafael broke the news on his Twitter account. He revealed the IBF has called for purse bids from promoters for the mandatory fight. Moreover, he claimed the bids will take place on February 18. So, what does this mean for Lopez?
Per sources, the IBF purse bid for @TeofimoLopez vs. @georgekambosos mandatory is scheduled for Feb. 18 at noon ET. #boxing
— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) February 8, 2021
A purse bid is a call to any promoter to bid the amount they will pay to make the fight happen. Sanctioning bodies call these bids when the promoters of the two fighters cannot agree on terms. Therefore, this news showed that the two camps failed to agree on a fight.
However, since Kambosos Jr is Lopez’s mandatory, they cannot avoid the fight. Therefore, a purse bid has been called. So, the two camps have nine days to agree on terms if they want to avoid this.
READ: Ryan Garcia’s Workout: What’s the Secret Behind His Speed?
Does this mean Teofimo Lopez is ducking Devin Haney?
This news will push fans to believe that ‘The Takeover’ is avoiding a fight against fellow champion Devin Haney. However, this is far from the truth. Even Dan Rafael reiterated this in the replies.
He tweeted to ensure that it’s completely untrue. He also said Lopez is not ducking anyone, which backed up the American’s claims over the past few weeks.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Complete load of shit. Lopez not ducking anyone.
— Dan Rafael (@DanRafael1) February 8, 2021
In this situation, the young champion doesn’t have an option but to fight Kambosos Jr if a purse bid is accepted. He is the IBF champion, while the Australian is the mandatory. Therefore, he has to fight him if the sanctioning body accepts the bid.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
This means he would have to put the Haney fight on hold for now. What do you make of this news? Do you think George Kambosos Jr would be a good fight for Teofimo Lopez?
