Bob Arum Reveals Plans If Triller Defaults On Lopez vs. Kambosos

Top Rank Boxing’s Bob Arum has revealed plans should Triller default on Teofimo Lopez vs. George Kambosos.

Triller won the initial purse bid for the lightweight title fight between champion Lopez and Kambosos. The bout was supposed to take place back in June. Things were derailed after Lopez tested positive for COVID-19.

As of late, there have been issues between Lopez’s camp and Triller. “The Takeover” wanted his bout with Kambosos to take place on August 14 inside Madison Square Garden in New York City. Triller reportedly wants to reschedule the bout for October 17 in the challenger’s home of Sydney.

Lopez is none too pleased with this turn of events and ESPN’s Mike Coppinger has reported that “The Takeover” is considering vacating his IBF gold and going right after a rematch with Vasiliy Lomachenko.

During an interview with BoxingScene.com, Arum laid out what would happen in the event Triller wipes its hands clean with Lopez vs. Kambosos.

“If the first bidder defaults, then it goes to the second bidder, and that’s Matchroom. And they don’t have to do it. There’s no consequences for them passing. And then it’s up to us, if we wanna do it. And the answer is we most definitely wanna do it. We’ll do that fight in September. But again, we might not have the opportunity.

“One, the IBF may decide in favor of Triller and Triller makes everything right and does the fight on an appropriate date in the United States in September. A lot of things can happen. But as Teo’s promoter, besides signing a [new] contract with him, we’re obligated to do the fight if the other arrangements fall through.”

Teofimo Lopez had his issues with Top Rank in the past. “The Takeover” wasn’t thrilled with his promoter showing little effort in making a purse bid for the Kambosos fight. The two sides were ultimately able to patch things up and Lopez remains a key member of the Top Rank organization.