Teofimo Lopez Jr. (15-0, 12 KOs) revealed that his signed and sealed lightweight championship unification fight with Vasiliy Lomachenko (14-1, 10 KOs) has no rematch clause on either side of the deal.
During a recent appearance on the “Ak & Barak Show” on DAZN, the unbeaten Brooklyn native hinted that he knew why there would be no guaranteed second bout, without going into any particular detail.
“There ain’t no rematch clause, and I know why,” Lopez said. “But it is what it is.”
Lopez will put his IBF lightweight title up against Lomachenko's WBA (Super), WBO and The Ring belts on Oct. 17 in a 12-round main event at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
And the 23-year-old explained how he may look toward new challenges if he is able to upset Lomachenko and remain unblemished as a professional.
“We’ve gotta wait and see, man,” Lopez said. “Right now, it’s this fight and then, you know, I’ll plan it out afterwards, to see what we can do. You know?
"Whatever the future holds, you know, obviously y’all see that I’m not the type of fighter to just talk my stuff and not back it up, you know? And I step up to the plate all the time, you know? If you don’t like me, and I definitely don’t like you, we’re gonna make that fight happen. I’ll throw it out there.
"You know, I don’t duck or dodge no fighter. How do you expect to the be the best if you limit yourself?"
Lomachenko vs. Lopez is one of the most anticipated bouts made since live boxing began to slowly return following several months of inactivity brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
And Lopez wouldn't have it any other way.
He continued: "I didn’t need to take this fight. You know what I mean?
"I didn’t need to take this fight, but I wanted to take this fight. Not because of who I’m facing, but because of the achievements I’m about to get from it. You know what I mean?
"Becoming undisputed lightweight world champion.”