Tag: Vasiliy Lomachenko

Pound-for-pound: Did Isaac Cruz do enough against Rolando Romero to crack list?

Pound-for-pound: Did Isaac Cruz do enough against Rolando Romero to crack Boxing Junkie’s list?

Isaac Cruz made a strong impression with his eighth-round knockout of Rolando Romero on Saturday in Las Vegas.

But did the new 140-pound titleholder from Mexico do enough in that fight — and does he have the resume — to climb onto Boxing Junkie’s pound-for-pound list?

Not quite.

Everyone agrees that Cruz is evolving into a formidable fighting machine, a pressure fighter with the fitness, durability and punching power to dominate opponents.

However, we shouldn’t overreact to a one-sided victory over Romero, a good, but limited fighter. And Cruz still doesn’t have a victory over a top-tier opponent, although he gave Gervonta Davis hell in defeat in 2021.

Bottom line: Cruz has to beat a pound-for-pounder or someone of that caliber to leave no doubt that he belongs with the best in the business.

And those matchups will come soon enough if Cruz (26-2-1, 18 KOs) continues to win. Perhaps showdowns with the likes of fellow beltholders Devin Haney or Teofimo Lopez — or maybe even a rematch with Davis — are in his near future.

A victory over any of the above would be enough to lift Cruz to the next level. Stay tuned.

What about Sebastian Fundora?

The new 154-pound champ defeated rising star Tim Tszyu by a split decision in the main event on Saturday, an accomplishment for which Fundora (21-1-1, 13 KOs) deserves credit.

However, we can’t draw firm conclusions because Tszyu was effectively blinded by blood in his eyes, the result of a ghastly cut on his hairline. Plus, Fundora was knocked out by Brian Mendoza in his previous fight.

Fundora’s time might come, just not now.

Next pound-for-pounder up: No. 10 Devin Haney is scheduled to defend his WBC 140-pound title against Ryan Garcia on April 20 on pay-per-view from Las Vegas.

Here’s what the list looks like at the moment:

BOXING JUNKIE
POUND-FOR-POUND

  1. Terence Crawford – No fight scheduled.
  2. Naoya Inoue – Scheduled to defend his undisputed 122-pound championship against Luis Nery on May 6 in Japan.
  3. Oleksandr Usyk – Scheduled to face No. 9 Tyson Fury for the undisputed heavyweight championship on May 18 in Saudi Arabia.
  4. Dmitry Bivol – Scheduled to face No. 12 Artur Beterbiev for the undisputed 175-pound championship on June 1 in Saudi Arabia.
  5. Juan Francisco Estrada – Scheduled to defend his 115-pound title against No. 11 Jesse Rodriguez on June 29 in Phoenix.
  6. Canelo Alvarez – Scheduled to face Jaime Munguia for the undisputed 168-pound championship on May 4 in Las Vegas.
  7. Jermell Charlo – No fight scheduled.
  8. Gervonta Davis – No fight scheduled.
  9. Tyson Fury – Scheduled to face No. 3 Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight championship on May 18 in Saudi Arabia.
  10. Devin Haney– Scheduled to defend his WBC 140-pound title against Ryan Garcia on April 20 in Las Vegas.
  11. Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez – Scheduled to face No. 5 Juan Francisco Estrada for Estrada’s 115-pound title on June 29 in Phoenix.
  12. Artur Beterbiev – Scheduled to face No. 4 Dmitry Bivol for the undisputed 175-pound championship on June 1 in Saudi Arabia.
  13. Errol Spence Jr. – No fight scheduled.
  14. Vasiliy Lomachenko – Scheduled to face George Kambosos Jr. for the vacant IBF 135-pound title May 12 in Australia.
  15. Shakur Stevenson– Reportedly near a deal to defend his 135-pound title against Artem Harutyunyan on July 6 in Newark, New Jersey.

Honorable mention (alphabetical order): David Benavidez (has agreed to fight 175-pounder Oleksandr Gvozdyk in June but no announcement has been made); Jermall Charlo (no fight scheduled); Roman Gonzalez (no fight scheduled); Kazuto Ioka (no fight scheduled); Teofimo Lopez (reportedly near a deal to defend his 140-pound title against Steve Claggett on June 29 in Miami).

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Oscar Valdez will start the rebuilding process anew vs. Liam Wilson on Friday

Oscar Valdez will start the rebuilding process anew against Liam Wilson on Friday in Glendale, Arizona.

Oscar Valdez has some work to do.

The former two-division titleholder was on top of the world after he put Miguel Berchelt down three times and ultimately stopped him in the 10th round to win the WBC 130-pound championship in February 2021.

It has been mostly downhill after that for the 33-year-old Mexican.

He tested positive for a banned weight-loss medication before his next fight seven months later, against Robson Conceicao, yet he was allowed to fight . He won a unanimous decision to retain his belt but his reputation was scarred.

Then things got worse. He was embarrassed by the gifted Shakur Stevenson in his subsequent bout, losing a one-sided decision that seemed to reveal his limitations.

He rebounded to outpoint Adam Lopez 11 months later only to lose another clear decision, this time against WBO beltholder and countryman Emanuel Navarrete, who outworked him in an entertaining fight last August.

Suddenly a rising star was just another fighter.

Valdez (31-2, 23 KOs) will restart the rebuilding process on Friday night, when he’s scheduled to face Liam Wilson of Australia at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona (ESPN+).

The fight will be for the WBO “interim” belt, which Boxing Junkie doesn’t recognize as a legitimate title. Navarrete remains the WBO champ.

“I’m going to be ready,” Valdez said on Wednesday. “I was preparing myself for a world championship fight. Then we got the news that it’s now for an interim title.

“So I’m more than excited and prepared, and we’re going to show that.”

Wilson (13-2, 7 KOs) is a safer opponent than either Stevenson or Navarrete, probably on the level of Lopez.

However, the 28-year-old resident of Queensland is dangerous. He proved that by decking Navarrete and hurting him before being stopped himself in nine rounds in a wild fight for the vacant WBO title in February of last year.

Wilson outpointed two second-tier opponents in Australia after his setback.

“I know Liam Wilson,” Valdez said. “He’s a tough fighter. I was there when he fought Emanuel Navarrete, and he sent him to the canvas. So you better believe that I’m coming with everything because I’m expecting that same Liam Wilson. …

“Liam Wilson is a dangerous fighter. But that makes it more exciting. And the interim title adds fuel to the fire. I’m very motivated.”

Valdez told BoxingScene.com that he would be interested in facing Vasiliy Lomachenko, assuming he wins on Friday and the Ukrainian pound-for-pounder beats underdog George Kambosos Jr. for the vacant IBF 135-pound title on May 12.

However, Valdez’s first priority is to become a champion again at 130. Defeating Wilson is the first step in that process.

“This fight [against Wilson] means everything to me because whoever wins is a step closer to a world title fight at 130 pounds,” he told the outlet. “This is my division. …

“My plan this year is to become a world champion again. But I have to win this fight first. I’m mentally preparing like it’s a world title fight.”

[lawrence-related id=41171,38543,29864,23758,23752,35413]

Oscar Valdez will start the rebuilding process anew vs. Liam Wilson on Friday

Oscar Valdez will start the rebuilding process anew against Liam Wilson on Friday in Glendale, Arizona.

Oscar Valdez has some work to do.

The former two-division titleholder was on top of the world after he put Miguel Berchelt down three times and ultimately stopped him in the 10th round to win the WBC 130-pound championship in February 2021.

It has been mostly downhill after that for the 33-year-old Mexican.

He tested positive for a banned weight-loss medication before his next fight seven months later, against Robson Conceicao, yet he was allowed to fight . He won a unanimous decision to retain his belt but his reputation was scarred.

Then things got worse. He was embarrassed by the gifted Shakur Stevenson in his subsequent bout, losing a one-sided decision that seemed to reveal his limitations.

He rebounded to outpoint Adam Lopez 11 months later only to lose another clear decision, this time against WBO beltholder and countryman Emanuel Navarrete, who outworked him in an entertaining fight last August.

Suddenly a rising star was just another fighter.

Valdez (31-2, 23 KOs) will restart the rebuilding process on Friday night, when he’s scheduled to face Liam Wilson of Australia at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona (ESPN+).

The fight will be for the WBO “interim” belt, which Boxing Junkie doesn’t recognize as a legitimate title. Navarrete remains the WBO champ.

“I’m going to be ready,” Valdez said on Wednesday. “I was preparing myself for a world championship fight. Then we got the news that it’s now for an interim title.

“So I’m more than excited and prepared, and we’re going to show that.”

Wilson (13-2, 7 KOs) is a safer opponent than either Stevenson or Navarrete, probably on the level of Lopez.

However, the 28-year-old resident of Queensland is dangerous. He proved that by decking Navarrete and hurting him before being stopped himself in nine rounds in a wild fight for the vacant WBO title in February of last year.

Wilson outpointed two second-tier opponents in Australia after his setback.

“I know Liam Wilson,” Valdez said. “He’s a tough fighter. I was there when he fought Emanuel Navarrete, and he sent him to the canvas. So you better believe that I’m coming with everything because I’m expecting that same Liam Wilson. …

“Liam Wilson is a dangerous fighter. But that makes it more exciting. And the interim title adds fuel to the fire. I’m very motivated.”

Valdez told BoxingScene.com that he would be interested in facing Vasiliy Lomachenko, assuming he wins on Friday and the Ukrainian pound-for-pounder beats underdog George Kambosos Jr. for the vacant IBF 135-pound title on May 12.

However, Valdez’s first priority is to become a champion again at 130. Defeating Wilson is the first step in that process.

“This fight [against Wilson] means everything to me because whoever wins is a step closer to a world title fight at 130 pounds,” he told the outlet. “This is my division. …

“My plan this year is to become a world champion again. But I have to win this fight first. I’m mentally preparing like it’s a world title fight.”

[lawrence-related id=41171,38543,29864,23758,23752,35413]

Pound-for-pound: Action will pick up in a big way beginning on April 20

Pound-for-pound: Action will pick up in a big way beginning on April 20

That’s crickets you’re hearing when it comes to the pound-for-pound scene.

None of the 20 fighter’s on Boxing Junkie’s list — Nos. 1-15 and five Honorable Mentions — is scheduled to step into the ring until April 20, when No. 10 Devin Haney will defend his 140-pound title against Ryan Garcia in Las Vegas.

The action picks up in a big way at that point, however. Between April 20 and June 1 — a span of only five-plus weeks — seven pound-for-pounders are scheduled to fight.

They are No. 2 Naoya Inoue, No. 3 Oleksandr Usyk, No. 4 Dmitry Bivol, No. 9 Tyson Fury, Haney, No. 12 Artur Beterbiev and No. 14 Vasiliy Lomachenko (see below for details).

That number could grow. No. 6 Canelo Alvarez is expected to fight on May 4, although no opponent has been announced. And Honorable Mention David Benavidez is in talks to face 175-pounder Oleksandr Gvozdyk in June.

And who knows what other matchups involving the best of the best might emerge?

Yes, the lack of activity at the moment is disappointing. However, patience will pay dividends. The biggest stars in the sport are in the gym as you read this preparing to perform.

Next pound-for-pounder up: No. 10 Devin Haney is scheduled to defend his WBC 140-pound title against Ryan Garcia on April 20 on pay-per-view from Las Vegas.

Here’s what the list looks like at the moment:

BOXING JUNKIE
POUND-FOR-POUND

  1. Terence Crawford – No fight scheduled.
  2. Naoya Inoue – Scheduled to defend his undisputed 122-pound championship against Luis Nery on May 6 in Japan.
  3. Oleksandr Usyk – Scheduled to face No. 9 Tyson Fury for the undisputed heavyweight championship on May 18 in Saudi Arabia.
  4. Dmitry Bivol – Scheduled to face No. 12 Artur Beterbiev for the undisputed 175-pound championship on June 1 in Saudi Arabia.
  5. Juan Francisco Estrada – No fight scheduled.
  6. Canelo Alvarez – No fight scheduled.
  7. Jermell Charlo – No fight scheduled.
  8. Gervonta Davis – No fight scheduled.
  9. Tyson Fury – Scheduled to face No. 3 Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight championship on May 18 in Saudi Arabia.
  10. Devin Haney– Scheduled to defend his WBC 140-pound title against Ryan Garcia on April 20 in Las Vegas.
  11. Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez – No fight scheduled.
  12. Artur Beterbiev – Scheduled to face No. 4 Dmitry Bivol for the undisputed 175-pound championship on June 1 in Saudi Arabia.
  13. Errol Spence Jr. – No fight scheduled.
  14. Vasiliy Lomachenko – Scheduled to face George Kambosos Jr. for the vacant IBF 135-pound title May 12 in Australia.
  15. Shakur Stevenson– No fight scheduled.

Honorable mention (alphabetical order): David Benavidez (has agreed to fight 175-pounder Oleksandr Gvozdyk in June but no deal is in place); Jermall Charlo (no fight scheduled); Roman Gonzalez (no fight scheduled); Kazuto Ioka (no fight scheduled); Teofimo Lopez (no fight scheduled).

Pound-for-pound: Action will pick up in a big way beginning on April 20

Pound-for-pound: Action will pick up in a big way beginning on April 20

That’s crickets you’re hearing when it comes to the pound-for-pound scene.

None of the 20 fighter’s on Boxing Junkie’s list — Nos. 1-15 and five Honorable Mentions — is scheduled to step into the ring until April 20, when No. 10 Devin Haney will defend his 140-pound title against Ryan Garcia in Las Vegas.

The action picks up in a big way at that point, however. Between April 20 and June 1 — a span of only five-plus weeks — seven pound-for-pounders are scheduled to fight.

They are No. 2 Naoya Inoue, No. 3 Oleksandr Usyk, No. 4 Dmitry Bivol, No. 9 Tyson Fury, Haney, No. 12 Artur Beterbiev and No. 14 Vasiliy Lomachenko (see below for details).

That number could grow. No. 6 Canelo Alvarez is expected to fight on May 4, although no opponent has been announced. And Honorable Mention David Benavidez is in talks to face 175-pounder Oleksandr Gvozdyk in June.

And who knows what other matchups involving the best of the best might emerge?

Yes, the lack of activity at the moment is disappointing. However, patience will pay dividends. The biggest stars in the sport are in the gym as you read this preparing to perform.

Next pound-for-pounder up: No. 10 Devin Haney is scheduled to defend his WBC 140-pound title against Ryan Garcia on April 20 on pay-per-view from Las Vegas.

Here’s what the list looks like at the moment:

BOXING JUNKIE
POUND-FOR-POUND

  1. Terence Crawford – No fight scheduled.
  2. Naoya Inoue – Scheduled to defend his undisputed 122-pound championship against Luis Nery on May 6 in Japan.
  3. Oleksandr Usyk – Scheduled to face No. 9 Tyson Fury for the undisputed heavyweight championship on May 18 in Saudi Arabia.
  4. Dmitry Bivol – Scheduled to face No. 12 Artur Beterbiev for the undisputed 175-pound championship on June 1 in Saudi Arabia.
  5. Juan Francisco Estrada – No fight scheduled.
  6. Canelo Alvarez – No fight scheduled.
  7. Jermell Charlo – No fight scheduled.
  8. Gervonta Davis – No fight scheduled.
  9. Tyson Fury – Scheduled to face No. 3 Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight championship on May 18 in Saudi Arabia.
  10. Devin Haney– Scheduled to defend his WBC 140-pound title against Ryan Garcia on April 20 in Las Vegas.
  11. Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez – No fight scheduled.
  12. Artur Beterbiev – Scheduled to face No. 4 Dmitry Bivol for the undisputed 175-pound championship on June 1 in Saudi Arabia.
  13. Errol Spence Jr. – No fight scheduled.
  14. Vasiliy Lomachenko – Scheduled to face George Kambosos Jr. for the vacant IBF 135-pound title May 12 in Australia.
  15. Shakur Stevenson– No fight scheduled.

Honorable mention (alphabetical order): David Benavidez (has agreed to fight 175-pounder Oleksandr Gvozdyk in June but no deal is in place); Jermall Charlo (no fight scheduled); Roman Gonzalez (no fight scheduled); Kazuto Ioka (no fight scheduled); Teofimo Lopez (no fight scheduled).

Pound-for-pound: Does Teofimo Lopez hold his position after dud?

Pound-for-pound: Does Teofimo Lopez hold his Honorable Mention position after a subpar performance against Jamaine Ortiz?

Teofimo Lopez didn’t look like a pound-for-pounder in his unanimous decision victory over Jamaine Ortiz on Thursday in Las Vegas.

The physically gifted 140-pound titleholder did enough to win but spent the entire fight chasing his elusive opponent but rarely catching him, which made for a relatively weak performance and a lousy fight.

To be fair, as I wrote earlier in Weekend Review, it’s difficult to corral a foe who refuses to engage, particularly if they’re as quick and capable as Ortiz. However, special fighters find a way. And Lopez didn’t.

So where does that leave the Honorable Mention on our pound-for-pound list?

He’s getting a pass this time, meaning he’ll stay where he was for the time being. After all, he won the fight. And, again, Ortiz’s strategy was a contributing factor in his subpar performance.

We’re watching, however, He can’t continue to look good in one fight and so-so in the next, which has been his pattern the past few years. If he is ever going to move toward the top of this list, he’s going to have to demonstrate consistency.

Next pound-for-pounder up: No. 10 Devin Haney is scheduled to defend his WBC 140-pound title against Ryan Garcia on April 20 on pay-per-view from Las Vegas.

Here’s what the list looks like at the moment:

BOXING JUNKIE
POUND-FOR-POUND

  1. Terence Crawford – No fight scheduled.
  2. Naoya Inoue – Scheduled to defend his undisputed 122-pound championship against Luis Nery on May 6 in Japan.
  3. Oleksandr Usyk – Scheduled to face No. 9 Tyson Fury for the undisputed heavyweight championship on May 18 in Saudi Arabia.
  4. Dmitry Bivol – Scheduled to face No. 12 Artur Beterbiev for the undisputed 175-pound championship on June 1 in Saudi Arabia.
  5. Juan Francisco Estrada – No fight scheduled.
  6. Canelo Alvarez – No fight scheduled.
  7. Jermell Charlo – No fight scheduled.
  8. Gervonta Davis – No fight scheduled.
  9. Tyson Fury – Scheduled to face No. 3 Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight championship on May 18 in Saudi Arabia.
  10. Devin Haney– Scheduled to defend his WBC 140-pound title against Ryan Garcia on April 20 in Las Vegas.
  11. Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez – No fight scheduled.
  12. Artur Beterbiev – Scheduled to face No. 4 Dmitry Bivol for the undisputed 175-pound championship on June 1 in Saudi Arabia.
  13. Errol Spence Jr. – No fight scheduled.
  14. Vasiliy Lomachenko – Scheduled to face George Kambosos Jr. for the vacant IBF 135-pound title May 12 in Australia.
  15. Shakur Stevenson– No fight scheduled.

Honorable mention (alphabetical order): David Benavidez (no fight scheduled); Jermall Charlo (no fight scheduled); Roman Gonzalez (no fight scheduled); Kazuto Ioka (no fight scheduled); Teofimo Lopez (no fight scheduled).

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Pound-for-pound: Does Teofimo Lopez hold his position after dud?

Pound-for-pound: Does Teofimo Lopez hold his Honorable Mention position after a subpar performance against Jamaine Ortiz?

Teofimo Lopez didn’t look like a pound-for-pounder in his unanimous decision victory over Jamaine Ortiz on Thursday in Las Vegas.

The physically gifted 140-pound titleholder did enough to win but spent the entire fight chasing his elusive opponent but rarely catching him, which made for a relatively weak performance and a lousy fight.

To be fair, as I wrote earlier in Weekend Review, it’s difficult to corral a foe who refuses to engage, particularly if they’re as quick and capable as Ortiz. However, special fighters find a way. And Lopez didn’t.

So where does that leave the Honorable Mention on our pound-for-pound list?

He’s getting a pass this time, meaning he’ll stay where he was for the time being. After all, he won the fight. And, again, Ortiz’s strategy was a contributing factor in his subpar performance.

We’re watching, however, He can’t continue to look good in one fight and so-so in the next, which has been his pattern the past few years. If he is ever going to move toward the top of this list, he’s going to have to demonstrate consistency.

Next pound-for-pounder up: No. 10 Devin Haney is scheduled to defend his WBC 140-pound title against Ryan Garcia on April 20 on pay-per-view from Las Vegas.

Here’s what the list looks like at the moment:

BOXING JUNKIE
POUND-FOR-POUND

  1. Terence Crawford – No fight scheduled.
  2. Naoya Inoue – Scheduled to defend his undisputed 122-pound championship against Luis Nery on May 6 in Japan.
  3. Oleksandr Usyk – Scheduled to face No. 9 Tyson Fury for the undisputed heavyweight championship on May 18 in Saudi Arabia.
  4. Dmitry Bivol – Scheduled to face No. 12 Artur Beterbiev for the undisputed 175-pound championship on June 1 in Saudi Arabia.
  5. Juan Francisco Estrada – No fight scheduled.
  6. Canelo Alvarez – No fight scheduled.
  7. Jermell Charlo – No fight scheduled.
  8. Gervonta Davis – No fight scheduled.
  9. Tyson Fury – Scheduled to face No. 3 Oleksandr Usyk for the undisputed heavyweight championship on May 18 in Saudi Arabia.
  10. Devin Haney– Scheduled to defend his WBC 140-pound title against Ryan Garcia on April 20 in Las Vegas.
  11. Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez – No fight scheduled.
  12. Artur Beterbiev – Scheduled to face No. 4 Dmitry Bivol for the undisputed 175-pound championship on June 1 in Saudi Arabia.
  13. Errol Spence Jr. – No fight scheduled.
  14. Vasiliy Lomachenko – Scheduled to face George Kambosos Jr. for the vacant IBF 135-pound title May 12 in Australia.
  15. Shakur Stevenson– No fight scheduled.

Honorable mention (alphabetical order): David Benavidez (no fight scheduled); Jermall Charlo (no fight scheduled); Roman Gonzalez (no fight scheduled); Kazuto Ioka (no fight scheduled); Teofimo Lopez (no fight scheduled).

[lawrence-related id=40729,40720,40690,40684]

Teofimo Lopez, ’26 years young’, insists that he’s only getting started

Teofimo Lopez, “26 years young”, insists that he’s only getting started as he prepares to face Jamaine Ortiz on Thursday in Las Vegas.

 

Teofimo Lopez has packed a lot of ups and downs into his last five fights.

Up: The 140-pound titleholder stunned the boxing world when he outpointed pound-for-pound king Vasiliy Lomachenko to become the 135-pound champion and an overnight star at 23 years old in October 2020.

Down: He lost his titles by decision to George Kambosos Jr. in his first defense 13 months later, although we later learned he fought with a dangerous health condition.

Up: He bounced back to stop Pedro Campa in his first fight at 140 in August 2022.

Down: He struggled against clever, but limited Sandor Martin in his next fight that December, rising from a knockdown to win an unconvincing split decision.

Up: He gave a performance that rivaled his victory over Lomachenko, taking down previously unbeaten Josh Taylor by a unanimous decision to become a 140-pound titleholder and reestablish himself as a major force in the sport.

Lopez (19-1, 13 KOs) said the rollercoaster ride has allowed him to grow as a fighter as he prepares to defend his belt against Jamaine Ortiz on Thursday in Las Vegas (ESPN, ESPN+).

“I’ve been to the top before at 135, beating the most decorated fighter at the time (Lomachenko),” he said at the final news conference before the fight. “Nobody wanted to face him. Now we’re back again. I beat the guy nobody wanted to fight again (Taylor).

“So, I’ve looked it as I’ve gained it, lost it, and I’ve gained it back again. I know what it takes to be great, which means to respect the ring and respect what it means to be a champion.”

And Lopez will remind you that he’s only 26.

That means he has many big fights in his future, assuming he doesn’t endure too many more “downs.”

He would like to unify titles at 140, a plan that could include a showdown with fellow pound-for-pounder Devin Haney. And he has called out 147-pound champion and current pound-for-pound king Terence Crawford, which could be his ultimate challenge.

He acknowledges Crawford’s sublime ability but points out that “Bud” is 36, an age when mortal fighters typically are beyond their peak ability. That, he believes, makes that fight winnable.

In effect, by calling out the best in the business, he’s putting all the top fighters in and around his weight on notice. He’s convinced that his impressive victories over Lomachenko and Taylor are only a prelude to greater accomplishments.

“This is only the beginning for me,” he said. “I’m 26 years young. I’m not even in my prime yet.”

[lawrence-related id=40657,37946,37781,37719,37707]

Teofimo Lopez, ’26 years young’, insists that he’s only getting started

Teofimo Lopez, “26 years young”, insists that he’s only getting started as he prepares to face Jamaine Ortiz on Thursday in Las Vegas.

 

Teofimo Lopez has packed a lot of ups and downs into his last five fights.

Up: The 140-pound titleholder stunned the boxing world when he outpointed pound-for-pound king Vasiliy Lomachenko to become the 135-pound champion and an overnight star at 23 years old in October 2020.

Down: He lost his titles by decision to George Kambosos Jr. in his first defense 13 months later, although we later learned he fought with a dangerous health condition.

Up: He bounced back to stop Pedro Campa in his first fight at 140 in August 2022.

Down: He struggled against clever, but limited Sandor Martin in his next fight that December, rising from a knockdown to win an unconvincing split decision.

Up: He gave a performance that rivaled his victory over Lomachenko, taking down previously unbeaten Josh Taylor by a unanimous decision to become a 140-pound titleholder and reestablish himself as a major force in the sport.

Lopez (19-1, 13 KOs) said the rollercoaster ride has allowed him to grow as a fighter as he prepares to defend his belt against Jamaine Ortiz on Thursday in Las Vegas (ESPN, ESPN+).

“I’ve been to the top before at 135, beating the most decorated fighter at the time (Lomachenko),” he said at the final news conference before the fight. “Nobody wanted to face him. Now we’re back again. I beat the guy nobody wanted to fight again (Taylor).

“So, I’ve looked it as I’ve gained it, lost it, and I’ve gained it back again. I know what it takes to be great, which means to respect the ring and respect what it means to be a champion.”

And Lopez will remind you that he’s only 26.

That means he has many big fights in his future, assuming he doesn’t endure too many more “downs.”

He would like to unify titles at 140, a plan that could include a showdown with fellow pound-for-pounder Devin Haney. And he has called out 147-pound champion and current pound-for-pound king Terence Crawford, which could be his ultimate challenge.

He acknowledges Crawford’s sublime ability but points out that “Bud” is 36, an age when mortal fighters typically are beyond their peak ability. That, he believes, makes that fight winnable.

In effect, by calling out the best in the business, he’s putting all the top fighters in and around his weight on notice. He’s convinced that his impressive victories over Lomachenko and Taylor are only a prelude to greater accomplishments.

“This is only the beginning for me,” he said. “I’m 26 years young. I’m not even in my prime yet.”

[lawrence-related id=40657,37946,37781,37719,37707]

Vasiliy Lomachenko poised to reclaim another world title vs. George Kambosos Jr.

Vasiliy Lomachenko will have the opportunity to reclaim another world title when he faces George Kambosos Jr. on May 12.

Vasiliy Lomachenko is considered one of the best boxers in the world but he has lost his last two world title fights, decisions against Teofimo Lopez in 2020 and Devin Haney last May.

The Ukrainian star gets another opportunity to get it right this coming May 12. And most observers – including the oddsmakers – believe this is his best chance to have another major belt wrapped around his waist.

Lomachenko (17-3, 11 KOs) is scheduled to face former champ George Kambosos Jr. (21-2, 10 KOs) for one of the 135-pound titles Haney vacated (the IBF version) on that date in Perth, Australia, Kambosos’ home country.

Kambosos made a splash when he upset Lopez to become undisputed champion but that was followed by two one-sided decision losses to Haney in 2022 and a controversial majority decision nod over Maxi Hughes last July.

Lomachenko is about a 5½-1 favorite to beat Kambosos.

“I’m very happy to come back,” Lomachenko said during a virtual news conference Tuesday evening. “I’m very happy to be fighting there. This is the right fight because it’s a chance to be a world champion again.”

Lomachenko’s title-fight losses were bitter disappointments for him.

He lost his undisputed championship and position atop some pound-for-pound lists when he was upset by Lopez, who had to survive a fierce rally from Lomachenko to have his hand raised.

Lomachenko, who fought with an injured shoulder, insisted he did enough to win the fight but he was in the minority.

He then won three fights, over Masayoshi Nakatani, Richard Commey and Jamaine Ortiz, to earn a shot at Haney. Lomachenko gave a strong performance but he came up short again.

He did make a statement, however: He clearly remains a formidable technician, one who appears to be a threat to anyone even though he will turn 36 next month.

Kambosos understands the challenge he faces.

“I never step away from a challenge,” he said. “I always want to fight the best. And Vasiliy Lomachenko is a guy we have looked at for a very long time. This guy is a legend. The respect we have for him is huge.

“So to have this [fight] official now is extraordinary. I’m very motivated for this fight. I’m very excited, and I can’t wait.”

Of course, he has reason to be excited. As he put it, “This fight rejuvenates my career. This gives me my redemption.”

However, Lomachenko is the main focus on this show, the once-great fighter – possibly still great fighter – poised to claim the title “world champion” for a fourth time.

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