Unconfirmed news reaching BoxingGhana.com states that International Boxing Federation (IBF) World lightweight champion, Richard Oblitey Commey is set to make his first defense against either America’s lightweight contender, Teofimo Lopez or fomer world champion Raymundo Beltran on a yet to be announced date in July.
Negotiations are almost done with the final annoucement set to be released later this month. Richard Commey (28-2, 25 KOs) was at ringside when the American, Lopez defeated his last opponent Edis Tatli via a KO on April, 20 whiles Raymundo (36-8-1,25 KOs) won his last bout against Japanese Hiroki Okada when he KOed him in round 9 of their scheduled 12 rounder. The Mexican now holds the World Boxing Council Continental Americas Super Lightweight and World Boxing Organisation Inter-Continental Super Lightweight Titles.
Teofimo Lopez (12-0, 10 KOs) has since called out all the belt holders including Richard Commey and Vasyl Lomachenko and seems to have gotten his wish from his pay masters with a shot at the world title. But sources say team Commey is resolved in their decision to call the shots.
What is clear is that Richard Commey’s next opponent has been whittled down to the two and is set to make his first defense against Teofimo Lopez or Edgar Raymundo Beltran in July.