Undefeated lightweight sensation Teofimo Lopez wants to become the undisputed champion of the 135-pound division, but he has no plans to remain as such for long.
Once he has unified the titles — or at least has attempted to do so — it’s on to a new weight class.
“I’m trying to get all the belts before I go to 140,” the 22-year-old Lopez told Boxing Junkie.
Lopez was crowned lightweight titleholder by knocking out Richard Commey in the second round last December at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Asked if the plan is to move up later this year, Lopez responded, “Absolutely.”
Of course, as it pertains to the immediate future, the Brooklyn-born Honduran-American has his hands full. He is slated to take on fellow titleholder Vasiliy Lomachenko, who owns two lightweight belts, in the spring.
The Ukrainian is widely considered one of the great talents of this era, a natural 126-pounder who has won titles at 126, 130 and 135 with a rare combination of finesse and offensive firepower.
Top Rank CEO Bob Arum, who promotes both fighters, said he is vetting site offers from Madison Square Garden, Barclays Center in Brooklyn and a delegation from Saudi Arabia. When asked which venue was the front runner, Lopez elected to stay mum on current negotiations.
“We’re trying to have it happen at the Garden, but I’m going to be political,” Lopez said. “My team and I are working on it. I’m letting them handle it. We’re trying to have it happen at the Garden. Some people want it in certain areas. … We’ll see.”
Lopez, who grew up in the Sunset Park neighborhood of Brooklyn and now lives in nearby Bushwick, believes New York is the right place for the fight given the large Latino and Ukrainian constituencies.
“Of course [I want it at MSG],” Lopez said. “BK all day. That’s my people.”