As an amateur boxer, Vasylil Lomachenko was legendary as he became a two-time Olympic gold medal winner. He compiled a record of 396 wins and only one defeat. As he transitioned to the professional ranks, high expectations followed him. Lomachenko responded by becoming a world champion in only his third professional fight in June of 2014. He would go on to win world titles in three different weight divisions. With superior footwork, hand speed, and accuracy, Lomachenko dominated his opponents and was crowned the pound for pound king of boxing.
Teofimo Lopez is a young, confident boxer who believes in his skill set. He signed with Top Rank in 2016. His professional boxing career got off to a great start due to Lopez’s extraordinary punching power. As his career began to pick up steam, Lopez announced his plan in which he titled “the takeover.” The plan consisted of a list of opponents he wanted to fight. The checklist ended with a clash versus the pound for pound king. The goal was to dethrone Lomachenko and take control of the Lightweight division. After defeating Richard Commey and winning the IBF Lightweight belt with a second-round TKO, Lopez focused his attention on the person everyone considered the best of the best.Teofimo Lopez would get his chance to dethrone Vasylil Lomachenko at the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, on the night of October 17.
Unfortunately, fans weren’t allowed to attend the fight, but the show had to go on. Lopez entered the ring stone-faced as he looked focused and determined. He came out and immediately set the tone by using his jab, going to his opponent’s body, and hitting him with timely power shots. Lomachenko seemed tentative in regards to stepping forward and exchanging blows with his opponent. Once he felt Lopez’s power, he became extremely cautious. While Lomachenko was being watchful, Lopez continued to work and win round after round. The fight was shaping up to be a one-sided blowout.
During the second half of the fight, Lomachenko finally came alive as he threw caution to the wind. He landed quick left hands and crisp combinations. Lomachenko was able to close the gap as all of a sudden; the twelfth and final round seemed to be a pivotal one. Despite Lopez’s father, who is also his trainer, saying he had the fight won prior to the start of the final round, the brash 23-year-old bit down and brought the heat. He pressured Lomachenko and landed several eye-catching power shots. With the judges scoring the bout 116-112, 119-109, and 117-111, Teofimo Lopez was awarded the victory as he became the new four-belt champion. Lopez currently holds the WBC lightweight franchise belt, the IBF, WBO, and WBA lightweight titles.
When asked about going into the final round, Lopez’s response was, “I’m a fighter. I got to dig in deep. I knew he was coming. I didn’t know if they had him up on the scorecards or not, and I love to fight. I can bang too. I don’t care, man. I’ll take one to give one. That’s what a true champion does. I find a way to win.”
Teofimo Lopez is young, talented, and currently the lightweight king. Many experts were shocked because they thought Lopez’s only chance of winning the fight was for him to utilize his punching power and score a knockout victory. The knockout victory didn’t materialize. Instead of winning by knockout, Lopez earned a unanimous victory by putting his boxing IQ and skill set on display. As for these two boxers’ future, it’s possible Vasylil Lomachenko may go back down to the 130-pound division. Teofimo Lopez is currently in the driver’s seat. He holds all the cards and all the belts. The takeover is Lopez’s popular catchphrase, and it is also his nickname. Now the name seems fitting considering Lopez is 23, undefeated, has four belts, and he’s definitely in control.
