Unified lightweight champion Teofimo López does not shy away from the boxing world.
In an interview Saturday night on ESPN, Lopez released a report on a contract dispute between him and Top Rank Promotions for a future fight against mandatory challenger George Kambosos.
Lopez is looking for more than the $ 1.25 million guaranteed wallet to defend his IBF belt in the 135-pound division. He said he is willing to take on Kambosos in a fight not promoted by Top Rank, if the price is right.
“I’m looking forward to it and moving forward,” Lopez told ESPN’s Mark Kriegel. “If you can’t meet the conditions, then, as I said, I’ll take my talent elsewhere.”
Top Rank is unwilling to pay more than $ 1.25 million for a fight against Kambosos (19-0, 10 KO’s), according to a report by The Athletic. The IBF has scheduled a tender for Thursday that will give the winner of the tender the right to promote the fight. It puts the responsibility on ESPN to produce the rest of the money for López’s bag. In 2018, Top Rank signed a seven-year contract with ESPN to produce fights for the network.
Lopez (16-0, 12 KOs) is four months away from beating Vasiliy Lomachenko in October to win the WBA, IBF and WBO lightweight titles.
Ahead of the fight between Lopez and Lomachenko, Top Rank founder Bob Arum praised ESPN’s efforts to make that fight economically viable during the COVID-19 pandemic. The game was held in Las Vegas with no paid fans.
In his interview on Saturday, López explained why his financial situation is different from four months ago.
“Because at that show you have the best fighter in the world,” said Lopez. “It’s all dues paid. And that’s what we did. We paid our dues. I’m your favorite fighter’s favorite fighter. That sets the tone, and I think everyone should realize that. I’m the truth. I am. am the best in LA division. “
Lopez said he currently plans to stay at 135 pounds in anticipation of the winner of the junior welterweight bout between Jose Ramirez and Josh Taylor. Ramirez and Taylor each hold two of the top four titles in the 140-pound division; their fight has yet to be announced.
Ramirez and Taylor also fight on ESPN and are promoted by Top Rank. Lopez said he hopes his next fight will be online. However, he said he believes it is worth more than what is currently on offer, putting its immediate future at risk.
“I can’t accept or leave it anymore,” Lopez told ESPN on Saturday. ‘It’s more of an asset. I deserved it. It’s not something that happens. You have to earn it. ‘