Top Rank President Todd duBoef has confirmed that he is eyeing October 3, 2020 as the date for a lightweight title bout between Teofimo Lopez Jr. and Vasiliy Lomachenko. As of now, duBoef is eyes Las Vegas, Nevada as the location for that fight, but he has not identified a venue yet. Given Top Rank’s history at the MGM Grand, many expect the fight will take place at historic boxing venue.
Initially, Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum suggested September 19, 2020 as the date for the fight. However, initial plans were halted due to the worsening COVID-19 pandemic. Arum and duBoef are also unsure how the pandemic will impact attendance.
Soon! Very soon ??? @HECZAR https://t.co/VaqclMSqWc
— Teofimo Lopez (@TeofimoLopez) July 9, 2020
“I’m not sure that fight happens with fans,” duBoef said.
In contrast, Arum has said that he hopes to have 2,000 or more fans in attendance for the fight. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic seems to be threatening that possibility. Like many other southwestern states, Nevada has seen a sharp spike in confirmed COVID-19 cases in the past two weeks.
If the fight holds its date, it would join a growing list of potential fall bouts. Terrence Crawford is expected to return to ring this fall. In addition, Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury are expected to wrap up their trilogy before the end of the year. Not to mention, Errol Spence Jr. is looking to return to the rings.
