The tentative date for one of boxing’s biggest fights is on the move.
The lightweight unification title fight between Vasiliy Lomachenko and Teofimo Lopez may now take place on Oct. 3 in Las Vegas, Top Rank president Todd duBoef confirmed to ESPN’s Steve Kim on Wednesday night.
Recently, Top Rank chairman Bob Arum suggested Sept. 19 as a potential date for the fight after a spring date was moved because of COVID-19. DuBoef said “it’s still too early to determine everything” regarding the bout and is uncertain as to whether it will be closed to the public.
“I’m not sure that fight happens with fans,” duBoef told ESPN.
Top Rank, which promotes Lomachenko (14-1, 10 KOs) and Lopez (15-0, 12 KOs), has held several cards inside an enclosed area at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. DuBoef said the fight could be a potential pay-per-view bout at the MGM.
Arum told boxingscene.com he is hopeful to have perhaps 2,000 to 2,500 people in attendance. But those plans could be altered as the pandemic worsens around the United States.
Like other states, Nevada is experiencing a spike in COVID-19 cases. According to the most recent numbers posted by the Center for Disease Control, the state has gained 5,889 cases in the last seven days, which is nearly a quarter of the state’s total cases since the pandemic started.
The Oct. 3 date was originally reserved for the third bout between heavyweights Tyson Fury and Deontay Wilder, duBoef told ESPN. That was pushed to Dec. 19, leaving a potential PPV slot available.
Lomachenko is ESPN’s top pound-for-pound fighter, while Lopez won the IBF’s lightweight belt last December when he stopped Richard Commey in the second round for his first major professional championship.