Highlights: Teofimo Lopez knocks out Mason Menard, aims for world title in 2019

Lighweight prospect Teofimo Lopez wanted to put on a show last night on ESPN, and he did so, knocking out Mason Menard in just 44 seconds with a KO of the Year contending overhand right that sent the veteran to the canvas.

Lopez (11-0, 9 KO) talked about the approach with ESPN’s Bernardo Osuna in the ring after the bout.

“He’s a tough fighter. I knew he was gonna come in, but I wanted to test him, so I hit him with a good shot,” Lopez said. “I wanted to see how he reacted. I can take a shot. But I took a chance, too — my father even before I got in here, he was, like, ‘hit him with a seven.’ That’s something that we do.

“I seen how he was moving to the side. You gotta press these fighters. I gotta tell ‘em how it is. Everything I say, I do.”

As for what’s next, Lopez says next year he’s gunning for a world title instead of the secondary belts he’s already won.

“2019, like I said, it is the takeover. The takeover has begun. 2019, you will see me, instead of these straps — which I’m grateful for — you will see the one that says ‘world champion.’”