Boxing
'I'll smack the make-up off him' - Former unified lightweight champion calls out Teofimo Lopez
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In a tasty exclusive interview with DAZN News former unified lightweight champion George Kambosos Jr revealed his strong destain for rival and former opponent Teofimo Lopez and his interest in a potential rematch.
The pair faced off in a classic back in November 2021 with Kambosos Jr pulling off a major upset by defeating Lopez by unanimous decision, snatching Lopez's titles to become the undisputed lightweight champion.Â
To make things worse for Lopez, it was in his own back yard of New York.
Why does Kambosos Jr hate Lopez?
Mikey Williams / Top Rank via Getty Images
Kambosos Jr told DAZN News that Lopez talks to much, and admits the feelings between the two rivals has turned to hate.
"If we talk about former opponents and having a bit of respect for him, that's one guy, there is no obviously love there. There is a lot of hate between me and Teofimo." Kambosos told DAZN News exclusively.
Kambosos's feelings towards the Amercian have soared further after seeing a recent social media video of Lopez's behaviour when gathered in the same room as Devin Haney, Rolly Romero and Ryan Garcia, ahead of Friday's New York Times Square fight card.
DAZN"He is always talking, always carrying on, in that video with all the guys, they're all laughing at him, but thinking to themselves, what are you on about?
"Lucky I wasn't there because I would have got up and slapped him right in the face, woken him up.
"Who knows I might have slapped that make up off his face."
Kambosos Jr open to Teofimo Lopez rematch
(Getty Images)
Kambosos Jr is now preparing for his next fight on June 14 for the IBF super lightweight title versus the unbeaten Richardson Hitchins, live on DAZN.
If he gets through Hitchins to be a word champion again, he has a strong interest in a rematch with Lopez.Â
Teofimo is set to face off against WBO interim light welterweight champion Arnold Barboza Jr in a highly anticipated bout and the Australian will be casting a keen eye on the contest.
"Yeah, why not? Why not do that big fight? I'm at 140 now. I don't owe him anything. I don't owe him.
"You know, an opportunity to try to, to beat me. I beat his a-s that night and it must be tough for him to be able to live with that you know?
"One day hopefully he lives with it. But yeah, if it makes a lot of sense, I'm all for it. I want to fight the biggest fights, the best fights."Â
However, if a rematch was to occur then Kambosos Jr would insist on Lopez coming to his turf this time.
"If he gets on that plane and comes all the way to Australia, we could figure out a 50,000 seater stadium. But I will not come to New York for it.
"I'll come to New York, obviously, for Hitchens. But I will not come back to New York for him because I've already beat him there.
That's one of my sticking points, but we can do it in Saudi, we can do it in the UK, we can do it in Australia.
"So anyway, we've got business first and he's got business first. But if we go again in the future the world will be in for a treat."Â
Kambosos Jr predict Lopez's loss to Barboza Jr
Melina Pizano/Matchroom
Interestingly, despite bringing the hype to an idea of a rematch against Lopez, Kambosos Jr does not believe his rival will get through Barboza Jr on Friday night in Times Square.
"I know Barbosa. I speak with Arnold all the time and I think it's a really good fight. Barbosa is an underdog, he's got a lot to prove."Â
"He's got that chip on his shoulder, so it's going to be a close fight, a real 50/50. But I think I'm going to lean to Arnold in that fight.
"I think Lopez, the way he carries on, the way he is, it disrespects a lot of people and that drives people on.
I think Arnold's just chipping away, doing his thing. And we saw in the Jack Catterall fight what he can do and how good he is."Â
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