Promotional company Top Rank has confirmed that the former undisputed world lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez (17-1, 13 KOs) from the United States will fight Spaniard Sandor Martin (40-2, 13 KOs).
Their 10-round bout is scheduled for December 10 at Madison Square Garden in New York (USA). The guys will compete for the status of a mandatory contender in the WBC line in the light welterweight (up to 63.5 kg).
Recall that initially Lopez was supposed to fight with the conqueror of two weight categories, Puerto Rican Jose Pedraza (29-4-1, 14 KOs), but he fell ill (not related to covid) and refused to fight. And Lopez himself admitted that he did not want to fight him.
13 months ago, Martin upset American former four-weight champion Mikey Garcia (40-2, 30 KOs).
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The fact that it will be an eliminator means, in general, a little.
Because there is no WBC super lightweight champion yet: it will be determined in a few days by José Cepeda and Regis Prograis. Moreover, Lopez or Martin will not immediately get a title chance, because the future title holder was obliged to give the first fight to its former owner, Jose Ramirez. And only then the one who remains with the belt will have to go up against the winner of the Lopez-Martin fight. It is unlikely that the latter will wait so long for his turn.
Dad-coach Teofimo generally believes that his son will take another “absolute” before the end of 2024.