Boxing: Brooklyn’s Teofimo Lopez becomes a world champion

The future of boxing is very bright with the emergence of Brooklyn, born Teofimo Lopez becoming a world champion last Saturday night in Madison Square Garden.

On an exciting card of fight’s at Madison Square Garden, Teofimo Lopez defeated champion Richard Commey in only two rounds to win the IBF lightweight world title. Lopez knocked Commey down with a right hand in the second round and followed up with an explosive combination that forced referee David Fields to stop the fight.

Days before the fight, Lopez spoke during the press conference about his excitement taking part in a world title matchup at Madison Square Garden. The young fighter out of Brooklyn, New York, didn’t hold back on his emotions about the much anticipated moment.

"“It’s a blessing. It’s a breathtaking moment. It’s just something I have to visualize and just know that, 22 years old, I have a great opportunity here to do a lot. I’m excited, man. What better way to finish off the year than fight in the Mecca of Boxing, Madison Square Garden, for my first world title, in New York? This is a moment right here.”"

After the knock out victory, Lopez made history in becoming the first boxer of Honduran descent to win a world title. He is now on track to challenge unified champion Vasiliy Lomachenko in a fight that would crown an undisputed champion in 2020.

"“I’m at a loss for words right now. This is a dream come true,” Lopez said. “{Commey} is a bad man. His shot could’ve done the same to me if he hit me with that shot."

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"“You all know who I want to fight next. 2020 is going to be a big year. ‘The Takeover’ has arrived, and you haven’t seen anything yet.”"

The boxing world continues to see new hungry and talented fighters rise to the occasion on big stages, and last Saturday’s win for Lopez is sure to catapult him to bigger fights and titles. Boxing may have just witnessed a breakout star fully coming into his own to continue the sport’s legacy of creating champions.