Teofimo Lopez has hinted at a potential 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 shifting up in weight as quickly as his subsequent battle. 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 all the time have energy. I’m nonetheless maturing as time goes. As far (as) energy proceedsm It’s extra so of IQ and EQ if you’re in that ring. And I believe that’s actually the place I’m making an attempt to progress myself to now. And (147 kilos) is one thing that I plan on shifting 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 response to Lopez, Claggett was a ‘Raging Bull’ sort of fighter, and understood what sort of opponent he was.
Heading into the Claggett battle, Lopez admitted shedding curiosity in boxing, however gained a higher 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 believe that’s the principle vital a part of it. Once I expressed to ESPN, on the platform, on the final displaying with Max Kellerman, I remembered I expressed I didn’t need to do that no extra. I didn’t have to. I (felt) like I completed every part. In order a fighter, myself, places that into my factor and actually needs to retire. I believe I misplaced slightly bit of fireside at that second.
“To me, truthfully, I knew what I used to be getting myself into. I knew the kind of fighter I used to be going through. We (Prime Rank) have phenomenal matchmakers, Corridor of Famers, so to talk, in Brad Goodman and Bruce Trampler, they usually know tips on how to make a profession. For this reason we name it, Prime Rank. It’s for that purpose. Solely the highest may rank, to this diploma. I’ve realized on this means of getting there may be enable the matchmakers to maintain my profession. As an illustration, they’ve made the careers of Miguel Cotto, Felix Trinidad, Floyd Mayweather, Oscar De La Hoya. The checklist may go on and on.”
Lopez, who now lives and trains in Las Vegas, Nevada, may return to motion late September, possible at Madison Sq. Backyard in New York Metropolis. Carl Moretti, Vice President of Operations for Prime Rank, confirmed to The Ring a card that would additionally embrace 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 shedding by cut up choice 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 lined boxing in Southern California and overseas since 2000. Francisco additionally covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He could be reached at [email protected]