Vasiliy Lomachenko promised that Teofimo Lopez will “eat my punches” when the pair meet on Oct. 17.
The Ukranian WBA and WBO lightweight title holder will face Lopez at the MGM grand in the 135lb division, with the chance to unify the titles with the American’s IBF belt.
With no fans admitted to watch the fight in a month’s time, the 32-year-old is talking up the bout for the benefit of those who may watch on television.
“Teofimo Lopez can talk all he wants. He’s very good at talking,” Lomachenko said according to WBN.
“He has done nothing but say my name for the past two years.
“I am a fighter, and my goal is to win another world title. Good for Teofimo. When we fight in Las Vegas, he will eat my punches and his words.
“I will be the better man, and four world titles will come home with me to Ukraine.”
His 23-year-old opponent from Brooklyn is in no mood to back down, recently telling ESPN’s First Take: “Oh hell yeah, I gotta knock this guy out, man. Everybody loves knockouts, why not?
“What I do is very exciting. I’m a young, hungry fighter. A lot of people may call me arrogant but when it comes to my sport, I’m very good at what I do.”