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Photos: Teofimo Lopez Putting in Work For Nakatani Fight

By Boxing Photos

Published Thu Jul 18, 2019, 07:34 AM EDT

Teofimo Lopez is on the fast track to a world title shot. Standing in his way is a fellow unbeaten fighter, Masayoshi Nakatani, the longtime OBPF lightweight king who represents the stiffest test of Lopez's young career. (photos by Mikey Williams)

Lopez (13-0, 11 KOs) and Nakatani (18-0, 12 KOs) will meet Friday at MGM National Harbor in an IBF world title eliminator, with the winner assured a shot at world champion Richard Commey later this year.

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The stakes are high, and Lopez, who has never gone past seven rounds as a pro, might have to go significant professional rounds for the first time.

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The consensus 2018 Prospect of the Year, Lopez has knocked out his last five opponents, most recently stopping Edis Tatli in five rounds April 20 on the Terence Crawford-Amir Khan pay-per-view undercard.

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