Teofimo Lopez’s Lightweight world title showdown with George Kambosos Jr has moved to June 19 at loanDepot park in Miami, Florida on Triller pay-per-view.
WBA ‘Super’, IBF, WBO and WBC Franchise champion, Lopez (16-0, 12 KOs) was set to do battle with mandatory challenger, Kambosos Jr (19-0, 10 KOs) on June 5, after holding a press conference last month to announce their clash.
However, it has now been switched to June 19 at the home of Miami Marlins, avoiding a clash with the return of former undefeated pound-for-pound star Floyd Mayweather who meets YouTuber and 0-1 boxer, Logan Paul in an exhibition on June 6 on SHOWTIME pay-per-view, as well as ensuring the bout will be at 100% capacity instead of at 25%.
The card also features the undisputed female Super Middleweight title meeting between unified WBC and WBO titlist, Franchon Crews and WBA and IBF champion, Elin Cederroos.
Heavyweight contender, Michael Hunter will face Mike Wilson in a WBA title eliminator after talks for a bout with Filip Hrgovic broke down.
Ireland’s popular Super Featherweight and former world title challenger, Jono Carroll returns against Andy Vences for the WBC International Silver title.
Former undisputed Cruiserweight and Heavyweight champion, Evander Holyfield was set to face Mike Tyson’s final conquerer, Kevin McBride in an exhibition, but that is now expected to take place in July, Yahoo Sports’ Kevin Iole reports.
“This is truly a historic moment having both the male and female undisputed title fights on the same card,” said Peter Kahn, Chief Boxing Officer, Triller Fight Club.
“We are excited to have Franchon and Elin join a night of boxing that already has one of the most anticipated fights of the year, López and Kambosos, along with a strong undercard that will appeal to true boxing fans.”
Lopez dethroned Vasiliy Lomachenko in Las Vegas in October to claim all four world title belts and the Ring Magazine crown, although Devin Haney holds the WBC world title.
Kambosos Jr, 27, ensured his status as the American’s IBF mandatory after defeating Lee Selby on a split decision in London in October.
After Lopez, 23, and his promotional team, Top Rank were unable to reach a deal on the fight, Triller won the purse bid with an offer $6.018m in February, to beat Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing who bid $3.65m and Bob Arum’s Top Rank who came in with $2.315m.
The show faces competition with three other events taking place on June 19. Jermall Charlo defends his WBC Middleweight world title against Juan Macias Montiel on SHOWTIME, whilst unified Bantamweight king, Naoya Inoue faces Michael Dasmarinas in Las Vegas on ESPN.
Also on the same night, former world champion, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr will meet former UFC champion, Anderson Silva in Guadalajara on a bill which will also see the return of his father and Hall of Fame inductee, Julio Cesar Chavez Sr who squares off with Hector Camacho Jr in an exhibition.
“I have to make a statement,” Lopez said during the launch press conference.
“Just like he is and what he’s going to bring to the table come fight night.
Self-discipline = Abundance of Success!
🔥🥊 #TheTakeover #TeofimoKambosos• JUNE 19th, 2021 | Miami, FL @Marlins @triller @JLo pic.twitter.com/eBQFKk0eHq
— Teofimo Lopez (@TeofimoLopez) May 11, 2021
“I’ve been in the big leagues, I’ve been with the guys that have the experience, the amount of work.
“But at the end of the day I don’t overlook nobody that I face.
“I’m only getting better. The Lomachenko fight helped me a lot now I have more things that I can put into my arsenal, into my style that this guy’s not even going to see and he’s not even going to know what hit him.”
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“I’ve grinded my way, opened doors, been sparring partners, gone all around the world, gone into the back yards of former champions,” Kambosos Jr said during the launch press conference.
“Again I’m going to go into the backyard of the undisputed champion for now. I’m ready man, I’ve been through it all.
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“I haven’t had no-one pushing me, I haven’t had no big platform, that underdog mentality I’ve had it for a very long time and again I’m the underdog in this fight, he’s the favourite.
“But when he’s been the underdog he’s performed, when he’s been the favourite he hasn’t performed, so the pressure’s on him, I know what I’ve got to do.”
