Shocker!
Teofimo Lopez captured the IBF Lightweight title in stunning fashion last night with his 2nd Round dismantling of Richard Commey.
Many of us were expecting a narrow UD for either fighter but Teofimo showed why he’s the ‘Takeover.’
Lopez’ win over Commey was a game changer; it was the type of bout that catapults careers. It was the type of bout that generates fans. It was a fight viewers won’t forget.
As a result of last night’s heroics, look for Lomachenko vs Lopez to happen in April or May.
“We’re looking for April,” promoter Bob Arum told FightHype last night.
So, what are the Loma vs Lopez odds?
Given this fight was previously targeted for late 2020 or early 2021, no one seems to have odds yet. Conventional wisdom was Lopez, even if he’d lifted the title last night, would have been too green for Loma and needed another fight or two prior to facing Vasyl. The delay would have also given Top Rank extra time to generate added excitement among the masses. But now, after Teofimo’s brilliant performance last night, there’s no denying him.
Bob Arum, in an interview with FightHype last night, summed it up:
“Loma’s gonna be in there with this beast [Lopez]… I mean, to do that to Commey…. A real seasoned lightweight…. And it was a 50/50 fight.”
Arum on Lopez’ desire to face Lomachenko: “What are you crazy? I couldn’t stop him [Lopez].”
“If I said ‘no Lopez, take it easy (don’t fight Loma yet)… I mean sh*t they’d be at my house. They’d be calling me at all hours.”
Loma vs Lopez is on!
More on the odds… When the betting line is listed, expect Vasyl Lomachenko to still be a slight to moderate favorite.
Bettors will take into consideration his awesome amateur pedigree and edge in overall experience and level of competition.
Yes, both fighters have had only 15 professional bouts but Loma has faced the likes of Orlando Salido, Luke Campbell, Gary Russell, Jr, Nicholas Waters, Guillermo Rigondeaux and Jorge Linares.
On Lopez’ resume, we see Commey, Diego Magdaleno and Mason Menard. Quality fighters but that list is timid compared to Loma’s run down of most significant fights.
Moreover, is Loma, who will be 32 when they fight, closer to his prime than Lopez who, amazingly, just turned 22 a few weeks ago? Some will say ‘yes.’
Location Arum hinted he’d like to bring Loma vs Lopez to back Madison Square Garden in New York. Should that happen, oddsmakers will likely give Lopez a small tick up for fighting at home but it won’t be enough to make the odds even.
Those who favor Lopez Lopez’ advocates will insist Teofimo’s range and reach advantage in combination with his speed and athleticism will be too much for Loma. And they’ll point to Loma’s most recent bout against Luke Campbell to substantiate their claim. Vasyl Lomachenko won that bout impressively but was far from dominant and ate some hard leather.
Choosing Loma Those who’ll favor Lomachenko think the Ukrainian’s superior footwork and odd angles will make it next to impossible for Lopez to sit on his shots and land the same flush punches he unleashed on Commey. Loma’s supporters will also point to his pedigree and insist there’s no style he hasn’t already seen before and can adjust to.
Please share your take. Who should the Lomachenko vs Loma odds favor, by how much and why?
