Teofimo Lopez has hinted at a doable transfer as much as 147 kilos, two weeks after efficiently defending his Ring Journal junior welterweight championship towards Steve Claggett.
Lopez (21-1, 16 knockouts) broached the subject this previous Saturday throughout an interview with Mark Kriegel for ESPN+, hinting that he could also be transferring up in weight as quickly as his subsequent combat. Lopez stated that, regardless of going the space for the fourth straight time towards Claggett, he believes his energy will observe him to welterweight.
“I imagine I nonetheless at all times have energy. I’m nonetheless maturing as time goes. As far (as) energy proceedsm It’s extra so of IQ and EQ while you’re in that ring. And I feel that’s actually the place I’m attempting to progress myself to now. And (147 kilos) is one thing that I plan on transferring in direction of to, most likely even on this upcoming match.
“I imagine what actually sounds very swell is Teofimo Lopez, three divisional world champion at 27 years younger.”
Lopez, who had beforehand been The Ring’s light-weight champion as nicely, was the dominant fighter towards Claggett, hurting him at instances, together with spherical eight. In line with Lopez, Claggett was a ‘Raging Bull’ sort of fighter, and understood what sort of opponent he was.
Heading into the Claggett combat, Lopez admitted dropping curiosity in boxing, however gained a larger love and appreciation for the game in current months.
“What I realized was I shouldn’t repair sure issues that aren’t damaged,” Lopez stated. “What I realized about myself is that I nonetheless have the starvation for the sport. I nonetheless have that love for the game. I feel that’s the principle necessary a part of it. After I expressed to ESPN, on the platform, on the final exhibiting with Max Kellerman, I remembered I expressed I didn’t wish to do that no extra. I didn’t have to. I (felt) like I completed every little thing. In order a fighter, myself, places that into my aspect and actually needs to retire. I feel I misplaced slightly bit of fireplace at that second.
“To me, actually, I knew what I used to be getting myself into. I knew the kind of fighter I used to be dealing with. We (High Rank) have phenomenal matchmakers, Corridor of Famers, so to talk, in Brad Goodman and Bruce Trampler, and so they know methods to make a profession. This is the reason we name it, High Rank. It’s for that cause. Solely the highest might rank, to this diploma. I’ve realized on this strategy of getting there’s permit the matchmakers to handle my profession. As an example, they’ve made the careers of Miguel Cotto, Felix Trinidad, Floyd Mayweather, Oscar De La Hoya. The listing might go on and on.”
Lopez, who now lives and trains in Las Vegas, Nevada, might return to motion late September, seemingly at Madison Sq. Backyard in New York Metropolis. Carl Moretti, Vice President of Operations for High Rank, confirmed to The Ring a card that might additionally embody unbeaten junior middleweight Xander Zayas and unbeaten featherweight Bruce Carrington.
So far as an opponent for Lopez, a reputation being thought-about is Brian Norman, Jr. (26-0, 20 KOs), who in his final bout on Could 18, knocked out Giovani Santillan to win the WBO interim world welterweight title.
Lopez, who will flip 27 on July 30, has received his final 5 bouts since dropping by break up resolution to George Kambosos, Jr. in November 2021. He’s managed by David McWater.
Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has coated boxing in Southern California and overseas since 2000. Francisco additionally covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He may be reached at [email protected]
Comply with @FSalazarBoxing
