Top Rank's "Take Over" is set to "Take Back" August 13 in Las Vegas

Former unified lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez, at one time one of boxing’s fast-tracked superstars, is closing in on wrapping up his training camp in New Jersey and is getting set to return to the ring for his 2022 debut and first bout at 140-pounds. Lopez is set to face Mexico’s Pedro Campa in the main event of a Top Rank Boxing card on ESPN on August 13 at Resorts World Las Vegas.

Brooklyn, New York, born, Davie, Florida raised Lopez (16-1, 12 KO’s), 25, will be fighting for the first time since getting beaten by mandatory challenger George Kambosos Jr. in a 135-pound title bout. Kambosos was undefeated and respected going into the fight, but few gave him a chance; the Australian’s win was a massive upset.

While the fight was close and a great back-and-forth war, most people felt the right guy got the decision. It was later revealed that Lopez, a vastly talented and powerful fighter, was not at his best, health-wise, going into the bout. After the fight, he addressed a torn esophagus, had arthroscopic surgery on his wrist and elbow, and continued his treatments to get a handle on his severe asthma, a breathing difficulty he has had to deal with throughout his whole career. 

Campa (34-1, 23 KO’s), largely unknown outside of his native Mexico, is coming in with a great record. However, his fight with Lopez will be a major step up in class. Campa should be confident having stopped his last 2 opponents, who sported a combined record of 27-0. But, he has yet to face anyone with the creativity, movement, and power of Lopez.

Lopez, who represented Honduras in the 2016 Rio Olympics, turned pro in November of that year and quickly started to rack up impressive KO wins that had the industry talking about him as a ‘can’t-miss’ player in the sport. In victory, Lopez celebrated with back flips and dance moves; he was a confident and very likable star in the making. However, the unexpected Kambosos loss was a surprise and a setback. Maybe the loss was a good wake-up call that sparked him to address his numerous health issues and hit the reset button. 

In recent interviews, Teofimo made it clear it is a new weight, new goals, and a new Teofimo.    

“I had been fighting at lightweight since I was a teenager, and it was time to move up,” Lopez said. “I am going to be an even better, more explosive fighter. I am only 25 years old. My best years are in front of me,” Lopez said. 

While some fight fans may still be in the ‘wait and see mode with Lopez, he seems confident that it is a new day, the past is just that, and he plans to rekindle the Lopez fire with boxing fans. 

“I can’t wait to put on a show for the fans,” Lopez said. “Every person goes through challenges, but I’ve put the past behind me and am thrilled to be back fighting on ESPN and in Las Vegas. I am calling this fight the ‘Take Back’ because I am coming to regain what I’ve lost. One defeat does not define a fighter, and it won’t define me,” he said. “I took over the lightweight division, and I plan on doing the same at junior welterweight.”

What hasn’t changed is Lopez’s self-belief and confidence. The Kambosos fight wasn’t a setback, just the first step in a comeback. 

“Pedro Campa is the start of a new chapter in my career. I will be a two-weight world champion very soon. Every contender and champion at junior welterweight better watch out because I am coming to clean out the division.”

The ‘Take Back’ takes off on Saturday, August 13 in Las Vegas.