Teofimo Lopez will not fight Arnold Barboza Jr next time, but a real fight still awaits him.
Julius Julianis reports that “The Takeover” will reunite with Jose Pedraza on the ESPN undercard December 10 at Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theater.
If the Pedro Campa fight was a test to see if Lopez (17-1, 13 KO) could still function in the ring, Pedraza (29-4-1, 14 KO) should show us if he is a legitimate contender at 140.
Although “Sniper” is coming off a draw with Richard Commey, he showed durability and a quality body attack against a very dangerous puncher. Lopez will be the favorite, as usual, but a one-sided blowout would be a legitimately impressive achievement.
Lopez has a guaranteed shot at Josh Taylor’s WBO title when/if “The Tartan Tornado” rematches Jack Catterall and makes it to 147; a good win here should leave him fairly primed for another shot at the belt.
