Tempted by a 140lbs title shot, Teofimo Lopez remains committed to a move to welterweight.
Former two-division champion Lopez 22-2 (13 KOs) declined to act on the IBF’s request for him to accept a super-lightweight title shot at Mexico’s Lindolfo Delgado 24-0 (16 KOs) following the decision by former champion Richardson Hitchins to vacate the belt as he moves to welterweight and a new union with Zuffa Boxing.
Lopez’s decision was first reported by veteran boxing journalist Dan Rafael.
On “X,” Lopez wrote to his former Top Rank stablemate, “Go make Mexico proud, my buddy, Lindolfo Delgado! … Welterweight division take notice”
Lopez, 28, added, “Long live Mexico and fuck ICE!”
Because of his prominence in headlining several cards, including his January 31 WBO 140lbs title loss at Madison Square Garden to unbeaten four-division champion Shakur Stevenson, Lopez can pursue far more lucrative bouts at welterweight.
He’s intrigued by the idea of fighting either new WBC champion Ryan Garcia or three-division WBO champion Devin Haney.
With Haney apparently withdrawing his interest in fighting WBA champion Rolly Romero, Lopez also hasn’t made Romero a target.
As for Delgado’s position with the IBF, his Robert Garcia Boxing Academy stablemate and No. 3-ranked Oscar Duarte and No. 4-ranked former lightweight champion Keyshawn Davis have May fights to deal with.
That moves No. 6-ranked Arthur Biyarslanov 21-0 (17 KOs), a Russian-born Canadian, into title-fight position.
Biyarslanov last fought April 9 in Montreal, scoring a seventh-round TKO over Jimerr Espinosa 17-3-1 of Mexico.
Delgado, 31, who’s been helping Duarte prepare for his May 2 bout in Las Vegas versus Angel Fierro, last fought in Mexico in November, defeating Gabriel Gollaz Valenzuela by split decision.
Delgado trainer Robert Garcia said it’s premature to guess a date for Delgado’s IBF title fight.
