Lopez to face Magdaleno on Alvarez-Kovalev II
Lopez’s five-month gap between his last two fights was the longest of his career
Top lightweight prospect Teofimo Lopez fought four times in 2018, most recently starching Mason Menard in 44 seconds, and now has an opponent for his February 2nd return to the ring. ESPN confirmed today that he will face two-time title challenger Diego Magdaleno in Frisco.
Magdaleno (31-2, 13 KO), once a touted prospect in his own right, lost a narrow decision to Roman Martinez in his first bid at a world title back in 2013. Moving up to 135, he fought his way to a 2015 title shot against Terry Flanagan, who mauled him in two rounds. He’s fought just three times since, the most notable name among them Art Hovhannisyan.
This is one of those fights where Lopez (11-0, 9 KO) is expected to win big, but is honestly decent matchmaking for a rising prospect. Magdaleno isn’t a pushover, Flanagan fight notwithstanding, and should at least last longer than Menard. He’s also, as the article mentions, a southpaw, which Lopez has limited experience against as a pro.
The card, which airs on ESPN, is now a quadrupleheader featuring Eleider Alvarez-Sergey Kovalev II as the main event, plus a pair of title fights pitting Richard Commey against Isa Chaniev and Oscar Valdez against Carmine Tommasone