Teofimo Lopez is on the quick track to a world title shot. Standing in his way could be a individual unbeaten warrior, Masayoshi Nakatani, the longtime OBPF lightweight ruler who speaks to the stiffest test of Lopez’s youthful career.
Lopez (13-0, 11 KOs) and Nakatani (18-0, 12 KOs) will meet Friday at MGM National Harbor in an IBF world title eliminator, with the victor guaranteed a shot at world winner Richard Commey afterward this year. The stakes are tall, and Lopez, who has never gone past seven rounds as a master, might have to be go critical proficient rounds for the primary time. The agreement 2018 Prospect of the Year, Lopez has thumped out his final five rivals, most as of late halting Edis Tatli in five rounds April 20 on the Terence Crawford-Amir Khan pay-per-view undercard.
Lopez-Nakatani and the IBF junior welterweight world title eliminator between unbeatens Adage Dadashev and Subriel Matias will stream live on ESPN+ beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.
The middleweight clash between Esquiva Falcao and Jesus Antonio Gutierrez will be the included bout on the undercard stream live on ESPN+ starting at 6:
30 p.m. ET/3:
30 p.m. PT.
Two days some time recently his to begin with primary occasion as a professional, at a media workout at Ancient School Boxing, usually what Lopez had to say.
On Friday’s battle
“I see myself as a entertainer within the ring, and I am coming to the MGM National Harbor to put on a appear. I have regard for Nakatani since he is undefeated like me, but nobody is aiming to stand in my way.”
On long term
“This is what my father and I have worked for since I begun preparing as a youthful kid. He imagined this sort of victory for me, and here we are, featuring a card on ESPN+ one win absent from a world title shot.”
“We all know what is at stake on Friday. But on the off chance that you think as well distant ahead, you get careless. Nakatani is my as it were concern right presently. After Friday night, we are able conversation almost the long run. Nakatani has been battling 12-rounders since some time recently I turned professional, so he incorporates a parcel of profitable encounter. I accept my ability will exceed his experience.”
“I say this some time recently all of my battles — I go in there to require over the show. I’m a main event warrior presently, which won’t alter. When individuals observe me battle, they put down their phones since they do not need to miss anything. For the boxing fans living within the Northeast, come down and observe me fight. And on the off chance that you can’t make it down, check out the finest appear of the end of the week on ESPN+.”
On his part as an entertainer
“I do all of that stuff — the backflips and the Fortnite celebrations — since I need to engage. I need individuals to keep in mind my name. I’m a warrior, but I am moreover an performer. That’s been misplaced in today’s amusement. I’m unique within the don of boxing.”
On his recent weight battles
“The weight isn’t an issue. I’ve been working with a new nutrition group, Idealizing Competitors, and they have made all the contrast. I’ll be able to form lightweight for a number of more fights.”
