George Kambosos Jr’s lightweight world title fight with Teofimo Lopez could be heading to the Middle East, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE emerging as potential locations for the blockbuster bout.
As negotiations continue over a venue and date for the 135-pound fight after Sydney was ruled out as a location due to Lopez’s unwillingness to undergo Australia’s two-week quarantine period.
According to ESPN’s Mike Coppinger, Triller co-founder Ryan Kavanaugh is looking into moving the bout to the Middle East.
Initially the fight was scheduled to take place in Miami, where Lopez grew up.
Lopez, who unified the lightweight division in a boilover against Vasyl Lomachenko last year, tested positive just days before the June 19 fight.
The New Jersey-based sanctioning body declared that the current timeline will remain intact and with Triller Fight Club to still take the lead per the original purse bid terms.
However, the defending champion Lopez is no longer required to travel abroad—or anywhere that leaves him subject to a 14-day quarantine period—in order to honour said agreement.
“The Lopez vs. Kambosos bout must take place on or before October 17, 2021 and the bout must take place in a location and venue that does not require quarantine.” UAE and Saudi Arabia fit that requirement.
Teofimo Lopez vs George Kambosos Jr must take place without quarantine, ruling out Australia
