WBA/WBO World Lightweight Champion Vasiliy Lomachenko had some harsh words for fellow lightweight and brash talking Teofimo Lopez.
The undefeated Lopez went twelve rounds for the first time in his career last Friday, surviving a stiff challenge from the unknown Masayoshi Nakatani of Japan to win a 12-round unanimous decision.
The bout was an IBF world title eliminator. That belt is currently held by Ghana’s Richard Commey. A Commey-Lopez bout, one of the most exciting matchups in boxing, could take place in November.
Lomachenko will return to the ring on August 31, when he faces Luke Campbell at the O2 Arena in London. Along with Lomachenko’s two belts, the WBC lightweight strap will also be on the line.
Naturally, Lomachenko was asked about Lopez during a press conference announcing his bout with Campbell. Lopez has been calling Lomachenko out over the last several months, calling the pound-for-pound entrant overrated and past his time.
Following Lopez’s less than stellar performance versus Nakatani, the man called “The Matrix” finally fired back.
“[He went] twelve rounds with nobody?” Lomachenko asked. “It’s a very big question for him, for his father, for his bullsh*t what he say before. Very big question.”
The three-division was just warming up, declaring that Lopez “looks like a clown with his father.” [Note: Teofimo’s father, Teofimo Lopez Sr., also trains him.]
Assuming he gets past Campbell, Lomachenko would like to face the Commey-Lopez winner for the opportunity to unify all four world titles at lightweight.
“If we talk about [Lopez’s] future fight with Commey, I think Commey wins,” Lomachenko declared. “But I don’t want [that]. I want Lopez.”
Stay tuned.
