Unified lightweight world champion Teofimo Lopez had surgery Friday to repair micro fractures and ligament damage in his right foot suffered during his win over Vasiliy Lomachenko on Oct. 17, Lopez told ESPN’s Mark Kriegel.
Lopez, 23, was bothered by the big toe of his right-plant foot during the unanimous decision win over Lomachenko and had the injury repaired in Los Angeles. Lopez (16-0, 12 KOs) will be sidelined five to six weeks before he begins rehabilitation, he told Kriegel.
Lomachenko also had surgery to repair his right shoulder following the fight. He will be out until mid-January, according to his manager, Egis Klimas.
It’s unclear whom Lopez would fight next after his recovery. Top Rank’s Bob Arum told ESPN after Lopez’s win that a rematch with Lomachenko is possible, and so is moving up to 140 pounds to try to win belts at that division.
The IBF said George Kambosos Jr., who beat Lee Selby by split decision Saturday, would be the mandatory challenger for that belt. Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney could be other options for Lopez if he stays at lightweight.
Lopez fought just once in 2020 after fighting four times each in 2018 and 2019. He won the IBF lightweight title by defeating Richard Commey last December, which set up the unification fight with Lomachenko. He is ranked No. 5 in ESPN’s pound-for-pound rankings.