Richard Commey: record, next fight and profile →
Richard Commey has long ago given up on expecting to be called out by any of his peers. Still, it’s a slight disappointment that not even the perceived best lightweight in the world, Vasilily Lomachenko barely even mentions his name unless directly asked—a strange scenario, since the two own all of the relevant divisional hardware between them.
If he relied only on what he has read, Richard Commey would be left to believe that he’s the one fighting for the lightweight title he already owns. In a lot of ways, it’s actually true. The hard-luck veteran has grown accustomed to having to prove the doubters wrong and literally fight for respect, a fate which once again awaits his latest title fight as he defends versus unbeaten mandatory challenger Teofimo Lopez. The two collide on Dec. 14 live on ESPN from Madison Square Garden in New York City, with Commey (29-2, 26KOs) due to make the second defense of the title earlier this year.
On December 14, Madison Square Garden, the Mecca of Boxing, will once again play host to one of the most highly anticipated fights in boxing as IBF Lightweight World Champion Richard Commey (29-2, 26 KOs), of Brooklyn, NY, makes the second defense of his title against #1-ranked mandatory challenger Teofimo Lopez (14-0, 11 KOs), also of Brooklyn, NY. The 12-round clash will be broadcast live on ESPN.
MGM Grand, Las Vegas, NV -Vasiliy Lomachenko moved one step closer to undisputed status when he defeated Luke Campbell by unanimous decision on August 31st in the United Kingdom. Lomachenko entered the ring with the WBA and WBO lightweight titles and added the vacant WBC belt to his collection with the victory.
Vasiliy Lomachenko would like to fight Teofimo Lopez next. The WBA/WBC/WBO lightweight champion just doesn’t envision that matchup materializing anytime soon. Lomachenko predicted following his win over Luke Campbell on Saturday night in London that Richard Commey will beat Lopez in their upcoming fight for Commey’s IBF lightweight title.
IBF lightweight champion Richard Commey is a very interested party in the outcome of Saturday's fight between WBA, WBO champion Vasiliy Lomachenko and challenger Luke Campbell of the UK. The vacant WBC title will also be at stake when Lomachenko and Campbell collide at the O2 Arena in London.
The 2019 Heisman Trophy race has only just begun but boxing is already planning one hell of an after party. The Dec. 14 edition of Top Rank on ESPN threatens to carry a potent one-two punch in the form of a title fight doubleheader, including a brewing fight between defending lightweight titlist Richard Commey and unbeaten mandatory challenger Teofimo Lopez. Sources from both camps have confirmed to BoxingScene.com that all signs point to the fight taking place Dec. 14 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Teofimo Lopez secured a guaranteed title shot upon his latest win, though admitting there were personal and emotional issues in need of resolution before moving forward with such a fight. He now has 30 days in order to keep his place in line. The International Boxing Federation (IBF) has formally ordered a mandatory title fight between defending champ Richard Commey and Lopez, the unbeaten number-one contender. Both athletes and their respective promoters were notified on Friday morning via official company letter, a copy of which has been obtained by BoxingScene.com.
Richard Commey can appreciate Teofimo Lopez’s moment of self-reflection and realization that a few things need to be sorted out before entering his first career title fight. At the same time, he’s not here to lend a sympathetic ear.
Richard Commey registered the first defense of his lightweight title along with perhaps his best win to date with his most recent ring performance. Unfortunately, it wasn’t witnessed by nearly as many viewers as when he first won the title. The hard-hitting lightweight from Ghana was dominant in an 8th round stoppage of former titlist Raymundo Beltran atop the June 28 edition of Top Rank Boxing on ESPN. The show aired live from Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula, Calif., averaging 490,000 viewers over the course of the two-hour telecast, according to Nielsen Media Research.