Boxing Challenge

    I haven't been as active this past week due to my vacation, so I hope to use the next few days to catch up on things and get back to a regular routine.

We start with a one-bout boxing challenge Saturday as things are light compared to a loaded next Saturday.

ESPN will showcase the return of former lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez for the first time since his title loss to George Kambosos late last year.

Lopez's surprising split decision defeat and title loss to Kambosos is easier to understand after the fight when it was discovered that Lopez suffered from Pneumomediastinum during the fight, a medical issue that could have caused severe damage to Lopez during the battle and perhaps even death under certain circumstances.

All things considered, the performance and even defeat of Lopez look far better in hindsight than it did immediately after the loss to Kambosos.

Lopez makes his return at 140 pounds and enters a junior welterweight division that is packed with champions, future champions, and contenders that could result in several top-notch affairs that Lopez could participate in.

Josh Taylor is still the champion, even after vacating two of his titles( WBA and WBC), and soon could be allowing his IBF title to go away from himself as well, former champions Jose Ramirez and Regis Prograis are in the picture, Ryan Garcia claims he will not return to the lightweight division, Jack Catterall will be receiving a rematch vs Josh Taylor after most people believe he defeated Taylor, and that doesn't cover talented contenders such as Jose Zepeda, Subriel Matias, Arnold Barboza, Gary Antuanne Russell and Jeremiah Ponce in a packed division,

With many of those fighters, including Taylor, fighting with Top Rank (Lopez's promoter), Lopez could have a lucrative future with easy fights to make, if he can get by Saturday's fight against Pedro Campa.

Campa has only one defeat in his career but only has fought outside Mexico once and has never fought anyone near the caliber of Lopez.

Teofimo Lopez seems to have everything in place for a spectacular ring return and set himself up for big fights in 2023- all he has to do is take care of business on Saturday night.

Boxing Challenge

Junior Welterweights. 10 Rds

Teofimo Lopez vs Pedro Campa

Ramon Malpica: Lopez KO 5

TRS: Lopez KO 3

Vince Samano: Lopez Unanimous Decision