Teofimo Lopez (14-0, 11 KOs) is all cleared to face IBF world champion Richard Commey after defeating undefeated Japanese Masayoshi Nakatani (18-1, 12 KOs) by a unanimous decision front of 2,100 fans at The Theater at MGM National Harbor.
The scoresheet read (118-110, 118-110 and 119-109) in favour of the American fighter who is now set to fight Ghana’s hard puncher Richard Commey later this year but even the Chairman of Top Rank Bob Arum admitted that Teofimo has a lot to catch-up
“He has a lot to learn. It’s the tallest guy he ever fought. It was tough adjusting to it. The guy was a dangerous puncher. It was a good performance. I wanted him, when he had the guy going, to put the pedal down. The good thing that comes from this is that we know he can go 12 rounds. That’s always a question in my mind. Could he go 12 rounds, and the answer is yes.” Bob Arum admitted in an interview with Top Rank Press.
Unsurprisingly, Teofimo Lopez struggled against the long-reigning domestic titleholder in Japan, Nakatani, having held the OPBF lightweight belt since Jan. 2014, who had his moments in this fight and could have won the fight easily.
“They wanted to see me go the distance. I did 12 rounds. I’m still a champ,” Lopez said. “I just need little tune-ups. It’s part of the process. I’m thankful right now. It was my first main event. It was 12 rounds. Am I proud of it? No, but I’m proud that I showed everyone I could go 12 rounds.” The Honduran-American expressed.
International Boxing Federation World Lightweight Titlist, Ghana’s Richard Commey will now fight the winner of the final eliminator Lopez later in the year before a unification shot with Ukrainian poster boy Lomachenko.