Lightweight Teofimo Lopez (13-0, 11 KOs) is on the fast track to a world title shot. Standing in his way is a fellow unbeaten fighter Masayoshi Nakatani (18-0, 12 KOs). Lopez and Nakatani will meet Friday at MGM National Harbor in an IBF world title eliminator, with the winner assured a shot at world champion Richard Commey later this year. Lopez-Nakatani will stream live on ESPN+
“I see myself as a performer in the ring, and I am coming to the MGM National Harbor to put on a show,” said Lopez. “I have respect for Nakatani because he is undefeated like me, but nobody is going to stand in my way.”
“I say this before all of my fights — I go in there to take over the show. I’m a main event fighter now, and that won’t change. When people watch me fight, they put down their phones because they don’t want to miss anything. For the boxing fans living in the Northeast, come down and watch me fight. And if you can’t make it down, check out the best show of the weekend on ESPN+.”
On his role as an entertainer
“I do all of that stuff — the backflips and the Fortnite celebrations — because I want to entertain. I want people to remember my name. I’m a fighter, but I am also an entertainer. That’s been lost in today’s game. I’m unique in the sport of boxing.”
On his recent weight struggles
“The weight is not an issue. I’ve been working with a new nutrition team, Perfecting Athletes, and they have made all the difference. I’ll be able to make lightweight for a few more fights.”
I just watched some video of Masayoshi and I don’t think he’ll have enough to keep Teofimo off him. The thought of Lopez-Commey is a very exciting match up that would appear to be short and explosive!
This kid talks a lot of sh*t. Hopefully he can back it up against the top ten opponents.
I truly believe Teofimo still untested and Commey is a world class fighter that has all the necessary tools to defeat him. With Commey, Teofimo needs to be a bit more creative and tight his defense if he wants to succeed. If the fight comes to fruition, I favor Lopez, but not a lot, because Commey is a good fighter with granite chin and one punch ending power, a really dangerous fighter
There’s such a thing as walking the walk with big mouths like this kid and so far yea he’s backing it up but his cockiness is getting annoying now because so far he hasn’t fought anyone worth bragging about. Loma will definitely school him though. His silly postfight dance is not only disrespectful but absolutely ridiculous he might as well start twerking because that’s what he looks like he’s doing.
Teofimo Lopez is an absolute garbage human being, seconded by his piece of garbage father, rooting him on and fuelling his son’s disrespect for other fighters and the sport. His in ring behaviour following the Magdaleno fight, cocky (not confident) attitude, will result in a short lived career that will end badly. Oh, and he is completely untested against quality opposition. There are a lot of holes in his game. Can’t wait to see him get smashed to the canvas.
Lol kids a bum just wait and see he will get smashed and all the stupid hype will be over
Similar comments can be made about Devin Haney. Bought some wins in Mexico to pad his record and is now ranked in the top five with not ONE name on his record. He needs to fight Teo to see what’s real and what’s b.s.