Update Regarding The Date Of Vasiliy Lomachenko Vs. Teofimo Lopez

By Fight Sports Jul 9, 2020

One of the most anticipated lightweight showdowns in recent memory looks to have been rescheduled once again.

Top Rank’s Bob Arum told Boxing Scene that the unification match between IBF Lightweight Champion Teofimo Lopez (15-0) and WBA, WBO, and WBC Lightweight Champion Vasiliy Lomachenko (14-1) may be taking place in October. This comes after September 19 was announced as a potential landing spot, with Las Vegas as an option. The bout was originally discussed for March before the coronavirus pandemic shut everything down.

Arum is hoping to have the event inside Allegiant Stadium, home of the now-Las Vegas Raiders. He, along with other promoters, are hoping to have fans inside to watch the event.

“Loma-Lopez, we had scheduled it for Sept. 19 as the working date but now it will probably go on pay-per-view and that means the working date now is Oct. 3,” Arum stated.

“Right now, with the (coronavirus) spike going on Nevada we couldn’t schedule it even with limited spectators. Hopefully, and we have some time, we’re looking to do that fight for 2,000 or maybe 2,500 people.”

October 3 was meant to hold the trilogy bout between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury. The bout is now looking to take place in December.

Lomachenko won gold in his first professional fight in 2013. He ended up winning the WBO Featherweight Title in his third fight. Holding junior-featherweight gold, “Loma” won the WBA Lightweight Title from Jorge Linares. A WBO Champion, Lomachenko last fought Luke Campbell in August, where he won the WBC Lightweight Title.

Lopez turned professional in 2016. He won NABF gold in 2018 and ended up knocking out Richard Commey back in December to win the IBF Lightweight Title. The 22-year-old has twelve wins via knockout.

Contrary to Arum’s statements, Top Rank President Todd duBoef told ESPN that he doesn’t think fans will be able to attend the fight. This is due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases across the United States. Top Rank is currently holding events in the “Bubble inside the MGM Grand Conference Center.