Teofimo Lopez Expects ‘Every Excuse’ When He Beats Lomachenko

IBF champion Teofimo Lopez is already anticipating hearing every excuse in the book after he beats Vasiliy Lomachenko in their lightweight unification clash tonight (October 17).

Lopez will enter the ring a sizeable underdog against the heavily favoured pound for pound superstar later this evening. Despite that he remains uber confident of beating the Ukrainian and then having to endure excuses about why he was able to upset such a brilliant champion in Lomachenko.

“Man, they’re gonna use every excuse in the book,” Lopez told Boxing Scene. “I was too big. That wasn’t his weight class. He’s getting too old. He’s not in his prime. ‘If Teofimo would’ve fought him in his prime, it would’ve been different.’ I mean, they’re gonna use all those excuses, so I don’t give a sh*t. People are gonna talk, and I don’t care. Let ‘em. … I don’t care about that, man. They’re gonna talk. You know, people are gonna talk because they’re just mad that we’re doing it.

Lomachenko is still just 32 years old but will be nine years the senior of Lopez when they clash. Both men have just 15 fights on their boxing records but are already considered the consensus best lightweight fighters in the sport. Lopez expects his very young age to be overlooked when people are dissecting his victory over the two-time Olympic gold medallist.

“They’re gonna try to downsize the fact that, you know, at 23, I’m going to become undisputed world champion,” Lopez said, “and be the fifth one in this era. It’s great, man. I’m just honored for it, and I know that with the law of attraction, I believe everything is gonna happen the way it needs to.”

Do you think Teofimo Lopez will get the respect he deserves if he beats Vasiliy Lomachenko tonight?