Vasyl Lomachenko showed little interest in fighting unbeaten lightweight contender Teofimo Lopez (12-0, 10 KOs).
Reporters brought up Lopez as a potential opponent for Lomachenko. However, Lomachenko said he doesn’t want any part of Teofimo. Unless Lopez picks up a world title, it’s unlikely Lomachenko will want a fight with him.
Teofimo Lopez’s ability, size and punching power make him big for a lightweight. Lopez could be a real threat to Lomachenko. Lopez’s power serves as kryptonite to Lomachenko.
The problem is that Lopez does not rank high enough on the WBC rankings. This prevents Lopez from getting a title shot against WBC lightweight champion Mikey Garcia. Unless Garcia vacates his WBC title, Lopez will have to wait to fight for the belt.
Meanwhile Lomachenko only wants to fight for world titles. In fact, Lomachenko faces Anthony Crolla (34-6-3, 13 KOs) on April 12 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.
Lomachenko said,
“No problem. I’m ready for anyone, but I need a belt. If you have a belt, you can come in the ring. I fight with you.”
Top Rank might be able to persuade Lomachenko for a fight against Teofimo Lopez. Top Rank simply needs to assure Lomachenko that it’s going to be the biggest fight in the lightweight division.
Winning titles against the lesser known fighter will not help Vasyl Lomachenko become a bigger name. Fans are less interested in his fights against less popular fighters. Fans want to see Lomachenko fight against good opposition that they’ve heard of, and care about.
Lomachenko further said;,
“I want to fight the best. But now, Crolla is the best choice, he is the mandatory challenger and wanted to fight me. That is why I accepted this fight.”
Lomachenko didn’t have much to choose when it came to fight against Crolla. Since he cares so much about unifying the lightweight division, he couldn’t ignore the Crolla fight as his original target IBF lightweight champion Richard Commey was unavailable to fight him due to a hand injury.
