Bankwest hungry to be ‘the’ boxing venue as Lopez on horizon
BANKWEST Stadium has emerged as the early contender to host America’s newest boxing star Teofimo Lopez in 2021, with the western Sydney venue determined to earn a reputation as Australia’s premier fight destination.
Set to feature undefeated Australian super welterweight Tim Tszyu in December, the $360 million Parramatta venue is now looking to double down with a second Sydney blockbuster in what would be the early rounds of the NRL season.
Famed US promoter Bob Arum is keen to bring a blockbuster Top Rank show Down Under in April next year – with his headline act now tipped to be Lopez (16-0), the man who famously dethroned poundfor-pound king Vasyl Lomachenko earlier this month.
If Arum gets his way, the
New York product will fight Australian slugger George Kambosos jnr (19-0), who became the mandatory challenger for his IBF world title after an October win over Lee Selby in London.
Also on the card, Australian Andrew Moloney (21-1) would get his chance to reclaim – or defend — the WBA World Super Flyweight against American Joshua Franco (17-1-2).
Moloney was controversially robbed of the title win during farcical scenes at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Sunday.
While the fight was stopped in the second round due to serious damage around Franco’s right eye, referee Russell Mora ruled the injury was caused by an accidental head clash in the first round, thereby rendering the bout a ‘No Contest’.
Ringside officials then pored through replays for 30 minutes before upholding the original decision. While Arum is currently fighting to have the decision overturned and Moloney declared champion, a third fight between the pair now seems likely, with the US promoter keen to run it back on a big Down Under card.
Undoubtedly, Bankwest Stadium would be the perfect venue.
“And it’s great that Bob is keen to do this third fight with Franco in Australia,” Moloney said. “That really excites me a lot. Would be a dream come true. Not only to remove any doubt that I’m the true champion, but also to be able to prove it in front of my family and friends in Australia.
“April is the date that they’re planning for and that suits me fine. I can fight tomorrow. It’s just about giving (Franco) enough time to heal from what I believe was a fractured eye socket.”