Teofimo Lopez faces a stern test against Arnold Barboza Jr this weekend, as the Americans clash in New York City – in Times Square, in fact, at an intriguing event.
The Ring Magazine, recently purchased by Saudi matchmaker Turki Alalshikh, is organising the fight card, which sees Lopez take on Barboza Jr while Ryan Garcia fights Rolly Romero and Devin Haney faces Jose Ramirez.
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The plan is for Garcia and Haney, if both win, to square off against each other next, after Garcia shocked his fellow American with three knockdowns and a points win last April – before the result was overturned, upon the revelation that Garcia had failed a drug test.
That storyline is key to Friday’s event in Times Square, yet Lopez vs Barboza Jr could be the sleeper hit of the night.
A win in New York would add significant substance to widely-regarded two-weight dynamo claims, mainly due to his opponent.
To add some more incentive to the fight, the WBO title world super lightweight crown is on the line.
Danger is personified in the form of Barboza Jr, the undefeated ace who sprung a surprise to be here.
Barboza Jr moved into title contention position after edging past home-favourite Jack Catterall in Manchester last February.
The brash and talented (but inconsistent) Lopez, 27, defends the WBO super-lightweight belt against the interim champion, 33, who is fresh off a win over Adam Catterall – on the latter’s home turf in England, no less. Here’s all you need to know.
When is the fight?
Lopez vs Barboza Jr will take place on Friday 2 May in Times Square, New York City. The event will begin just after 10pm BST on Friday (2pm PT, 3pm CT, 5pm ET on Friday) on DAZN, and The Ring reports that Lopez vs Barboza will start around 11pm BST on Friday (3pm PT, 4pm CT, 6pm ET on Friday).
Ryan Garcia vs Rolly Romero (welterweight)
Devin Haney vs Jose Ramirez (welterweight)
Teofimo Lopez (champion) vs Arnold Barboza Jr (WBO super-lightweight title)
Reito Tsutsumi vs Levale Whittington (featherweight)
James Gennari vs Joel Allen (firefighter vs police officer!)
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