Unified lightweight titleholder Teofimo Lopez is not siphoned off by the company of boxing.
He stated he is well prepared to confront Kambosos at a struggle not encouraged by Top Rank, in the event the purchase price is correct.
“I am looking forward, and I am moving ahead,” Lopez told ESPN’s Mark Kriegel. “If you can not fulfill the conditions, then just like I said, I am taking my abilities someplace else.”
According to a report from The Athletic, Top Rank isn’t keen to pay over $1.25 million for a struggle against Kambosos (19-0, 10 KOs). The IBF has scheduled a handbag bid on Thursday which provides the bidding’s winner the best to foster the fight. It places the onus on ESPN to create the remaining portion of the cash for Lopez’s bag. In 2018, Best Rank signed up a seven-year contract with ESPN to create fights for the community.
Ahead of the Lopez-Lomachenko bout, Best Rank creator Bob Arum praised ESPN’s attempts to make that battle financially viable throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The game was staged in Las Vegas with no paid lovers.
“Since you have the best fighter on the planet on such screen,” Lopez explained. “It is all paid dues. And that is exactly what we did. I’m your favourite fighter’s preferred fighter. This sets the tone, and I believe everyone should understand that. I’m the reality. I’m the very best in the branch.”
Lopez stated he is presently thinking about staying at 135 lbs since he waits for the winner of their junior welterweight bout between Jose Ramirez and Josh Taylor. Ramirez and Taylor each have just two of the leading four names in the 140-pound branch; their struggle has not yet been declared.
Ramirez and Taylor also struggle on ESPN and are encouraged by Top Rank. Lopez said he expects his next battle is on the community. But he said he thinks he’s worth more than what is now being provided, which places his immediate future in peril.
“I can not take it or leave it ,” Lopez told ESPN on Saturday. “It is more so about it is a takeover. I made it. You have gotta make it.”