FOR once, the path for WBO super lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez seemed to be an obvious one, with undefeated mandatory challenger Arnold Barboza Jr all but guaranteed a shot at ‘The Takeover’.
Yet, in typical Lopez fashion, things could soon become more complicated than anticipated.
Barboza, 32-0 (11 KOs), upset Jack Catterall on away soil to claim the WBO interim title earlier this month in a career-best win and announce himself as a genuine threat to the 140lb marbles.
As a result, as per the WBO orders prior to Catterall-Barboza, Lopez must defend his WBO crown against Barboza within 180 days of that contest, forcing Lopez, 21-1 (13 KOs), to fight the Californian between now and August 14, if he wishes to hold onto his position as a world champion.
Meanwhile, Lopez himself has been linked to a returned to action in a history-making event on Alcatraz Island, becoming the first fighter to headline a card at the former prison site, which became a museum and tourist attraction following its official closure in 1963.
One may have asumed assumed that Barboza Jr. would be the opponent for that bill, but speaking to Boxing News, Lopez revealed that he expects a unification bout with IBF title-holder Richardson Hitchins, 19-0 (7 KOs), to come next.
“Absolutely, we are definitely in talks with Alcatraz. It’s an honour, I am grateful, I put myself into this position and now we are just here to takeover.
“I believe so, [that it will be Richardson Hitchins next], but I believe that anything is possible really. Look forward to seeing me fight very soon, in a couple of months!”
It is possible that Lopez could face Hitchins within the next two months and return to defend his title against Barboza, if he still has it, before the August deadline, with either of those bouts being the intriguing Alcatraz event.
However, with whispers of a future move to welterweight emerging, we could instead see Lopez go toe-to-toe with Hitchins in a bid for the unified titles and then move up to 147lbs regardless of the outcome, allowing for Barboza to be upgraded to full world champion without needing to challenge for the belt.
