Notebook: Teofimo has big plans, but Barboza out to ruin them
Munguia looks to avenge stunning KO loss to Surace; Wardley finalizing deal with new opponent; Keyshawn undercard update; BetUS show; Quick hits; Show and tell
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Of the three main fights on Turki Alalshikh’s Ring magazine “Fatal Fury” card on Friday (DAZN PPV, 5:30 p.m. ET) that will be part of the first boxing event to take place outdoors in New York’s Times Square, the only one with close odds is lineal/WBO junior welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez’s defense against Arnold Barboza Jr.
But if you ask Lopez, he plans to not only make things exciting but to dominate.
“We’re going to go out there and do what I have to do. I’m going to have fun and beat the brick out of this boy,” Lopez, who will be back in action for the first time in 11 months and making his third title defense, said this week.
“This is a blessing and a dream come true for all of us. We’re here to take over as always. It’s ‘The Takeover’ and we’re here to show off our skills. I’m here to do my part. I’m gonna start it up for everyone and amp it up.”
Following Lopez-Barboza, there are two more 12-rounders: Devin Haney (31-0, 15 KOs) and Jose Ramirez (29-2, 18 KOs), both former junior welterweight titleholders, will move up to welterweight for their fight contracted at 144 pounds in the co-feature and in the main event Ryan Garcia (24-1, 20 KOs) and Rolando Romero (16-2, 13 KOs) will also move up to welterweight to fight for the vacant WBA “regular” title.
Wins by Haney and Garcia will propel them into a rematch near the end of the year in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
But Lopez, who has a three-fight deal with Alalshikh, figures in those plans as well. If he beats Barboza, Lopez is likely to next fight on the Garcia-Haney II card. Should Garcia or Haney lose on Friday night Lopez could very well find himself facing the other man in the main event come that card at the end of the year.