IBF orders Teofimo Lopes - George Kambosos Jr.

The International Boxing Federation has ordered his lightweight champion, Teofimo Lopez, to fight against his mandatory challenger George Kambosos Jr.

The pair have until February 6 to get the negotiations done or a purse bid will take place.

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Rumors have it that this is a fight that Teofimo and his team want to make because it will keep him away from a potential second fight with a healthy Vasyl Lomachenko.

Bob Arum is also keen on making the fight happen because the 27-year-old challenger is not on Lopez's level. At least on paper.

Lopez hasn't fought since October when he claimed the unified lightweight championship when he defeated Vasyl Lomachenko.

Kambosos Jr. was last seen inside the ring also in October when he beat Lee Shelby via SD.

"It’s confirmed from the IBF saying that the fight now has to take place. It is good, it puts pressure on Lopez. I have earned my shot, and he has to fight me,” Kambosos said to the WA Today earlier on Saturday.

”We have been negotiating with Lopez manager and Top Rank since I beat Lee Selby.  We are pushing for me and Lopez fighting for all the belts and for it to be here in Australia, that’s the most important thing.”