Multiple sources are confirming to ESPN that Top Rank is planning to hold a lightweight world title fight between Richard Commey (29-2, 26 KOs) and Teofimo Lopez (14-0, 11 KOs) on December 14th at Madison Square Garden. If the bout is finalized, it would take place on the undercard of Terence Crawford’s mandatory title defense against Egidijus Kavaliauskas, airing on ESPN immediately following the Heisman Trophy presentation.
Lopez, 22, is most recently coming off a unanimous decision win over Masayoshi Nakatani last month, in a fight where he won but didn’t look as impressive or explosive as he has in his other recent fights. Lopez chalked that up to the sheer size of Nakatani, but got the win anyway which has set him up for a world title opportunity.
Meanwhile Commey, 32, won the vacant IBF lightweight title by stopping Isa Chaniev in February, and since went on to defend it by stopping Ray Beltran in June. A fight between Commey and the young Lopez should really be a good litmus test to see where the ceiling might be for both fighters.
ESPN also reports that prospect Michael Conlan is being lined up for this Dec. 14 card as well, where he would be making a move down to junior featherweight to take on either Isaac Dogboe or Genesis Servania.