Former absolute lightweight champion (up to 61.2 kg) American Teofimo Lopez (16-1, 12 KOs) claims that in the next fight he can reach the owner of all belts in the light welterweight (up to 63.5 kg) Briton Josh Taylor (19-0, 13 KOs). According to the ex-champion, negotiations are already in progress, the fight could take place in the summer.
“It’s not without reason that I was put on the 2nd line in the WBO ranking (not anymore). So it’s already clear what step will be next – the fight for the title. I’m going to be absolute again. Do you know what goal you set for yourself? Become an absolute in three divisions! I’m going to be back in the ring this summer. Attempts have already begun to make me fight with Taylor for the absolute. I know he was going to leave the division, but we are working to keep him here a little bit. I want to kill all birds with one stone,”
ex-champion said.
Lopez missed all the titles in November last year – he lost to Australian George Cambosos Jr. The American did not accept defeat: “Even the referee raised my hand. And if there is one chief judge, then this is the referee. No one knows what I went through leading up to that fight. My father wanted to throw in the towel, he was afraid that I would die in the ring. Still, I had asthma, bronchitis and early stages of pneumonia. It was a good lesson. I beat myself. I must admit that I was already sick of the fact that every time I have to do the same thing – to prove to the world that I am right.
It is possible that even if Taylor and Lopez agree (and they both cooperate with Top Rank Bob Arum), then by that time the Briton will have fewer championship belts – earlier he was required to carry out voluntary defenses according to the WBA, and later the WBC.
Taylor previously didn’t want to hear about Lopez. But later, Josh himself controversially defended the belts from the encroachments of compatriot Jack Catterall. And in the welterweight no one is waiting for him – the local champions agree on unification. WBC/WBA Super/IBF belt holder Spence said: “Negotiations with Crawford began even before the fight with Ugas.”
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