The new lightweight king Teofimo Lopez (16-0, 12 KOs) is expected to return to the ring in mid-February. The fighter's promoter Bob Arum has announced that the American is likely to have another fight within 135 pounds. In the future, the 23-year-old is going to move into the super lightweight category.
“Now it makes no sense for Lopez to change the weight category. He wants to fight the winner of the spring fight Josh Taylor vs. Jose Ramirez. Later, the winner will have to defend the belts against Jack Catterall, so a fight for the super lightweight titles will not be possible for Lopez until the end of next year,” the head of the Top Rank promotion organization explained.
Arum would like Lopez to cross his gloves for the second time with Vasyl Lomachenko, whom he defeated a week ago, and took his WBA, WBO and WBC belts before moving to the new weight. Last week, the Ukrainian had surgery on his right shoulder, and he will be able to return to the ring the earliest in April-May.
If Lopez remains in the lightweight division, potential rivals will be Devin Haney or the winner of the Ryan Garcia vs. Luke Campbell bout. They all work with Matchroom Boxing, but Eddie Hearn has already said that he is ready for such a confrontation.
