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)
Teofimo Lopez is no longer scheduled to defend his lightweight titles against George Kambosos Jr. After the fight was delayed four times (twice in June, once in August, and once in October) and looked to be postponed even further, Triller cut their losses and officially dropped the bout.
This decision came as they had invested over $9 million without receiving any benefits.
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However, Triller’s exit has opened up the path for several other promoters to pick the contest. That said, Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Promotions is still willing to stage the fight. Per DAZN Boxing and Michael Benson, Hearn may take up the promotional rights of Lopez vs Kambosos Jr. But only after IBF verifies it all.
Eddie Hearn has confirmed that he still wants to stage Teofimo Lopez vs George Kambosos Jr on DAZN. He was second in purse bids after Triller and is awaiting word from the IBF to see if fight will pass to him now Triller are saying they won't promote it. [@DAZNBoxing Show]
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) October 5, 2021
During the initial bidding of the fight, Eddie Hearn had pitched his amount on behalf of Matchroom. But he and Top Rank Promotions lost it to Triller who bid $6 million. As the second-highest bidder, Hearn could step in and help Lopez end his hiatus.
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Teofimo Lopez – The star without the fame
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24-year-old ‘TakeOver’ Lopez shot to fame after outclassing ‘The Matrix’ Vasyl Lomachenko in October 2020. The victory earned him sheer appraisal and the ticket to the bigger goals. However, it has been more than a year since Lopez has fought. Meanwhile, Vasyl Lomachenko has already returned from that defeat with a stoppage win in June this year.
via Getty
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 17: In this handout image provided by Top Rank, 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)
Lopez’s year-long inactivity is urging several analysts to question his dominance. He has held the titles for a long time, without defending them. Hence, it may not be very late until the sanctioning bodies order Teofimo Lopez to defend his titles or vacate them. As of now, the whole scenario surrounding the lightweight fight looks unstable.
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Do you think Teofimo Lopez vs George Kambosos Jr. will ever happen? Will Eddie Hearn save this fight?
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