Unified lightweight world champion Teofimo Lopez will finally have the chance to square off against his mandatory IBF challenger George Kambosos Jr on 27th November, a fight which has already suffered multiple postponements. From the initial fight date of 19th June which had to be cancelled after Lopez contracted COVID-19. Following some bobs and weaves regarding the fight’s venue, which Triller Fight Club co-founder Ryan Kavanaugh wanted to be in Australia, Madison Square Garden in New York was finally set to be the venue with October 5 as the new fight date.
Later, it was revealed that Kavanaugh wanted to regain the reported $5 million he lost from rescheduling the fight after Lopez had tested positive for COVID and for that, planned for the fight to take place in the Land Down Under, but after IBF’s order for the fight to not leave US soil, New York became the confirmed location.
However, after the IBF found Triller in default of its contractual obligation to stage the fight, Matchroom Sport was awarded the rights to the fight, with the new date now set for 27th November while the venue remains unchanged.
Teofimo Lopez wants to show the world why he’s ‘The ‘People’s Champ’
“The time has finally come! It has been a long wait for Team Takeover,” Teofimo Lopez said after the confirmation of the date for his title defense against Kambosos, which will head for the Hulu Theatre in MSG.
“We’ve been in the zone for six months and counting, but we’re pleased to be able to get this fight on DAZN finally! The Takeover will show the world once again why we are called ‘The People’s Champ,’” the WBA (Super), IBF and WBO titleholder added. [H/T Boxing News 24]
The 24-year-old was last seen in action against Vasyl Lomachenko on 17th October last year, when he defeated the Ukrainian to win the WBA (Super) and WBO belts at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
“Ferocious” Kambosos, who hails from Sydney, is a former WBA Oceania and IBF Pan Pacific lightweight champion. He became IBF’s mandatory lightweight after Welsh boxer Lee Selby via split decision in October last year.
Highlights:
- Teofimo Lopez vs George Kambosos Jr to take place on 27th November at the Madison Square Garden
- The fight was previously targeted on 5th October but was postponed after Triller Fight Club was found in default of its contractual obligation
- Teofimo Lopez will defend his WBA (Super), IBF and WBO belts
