Teofimo Lopez Jr.'s days as a junior welterweight contender appear to be coming to an end.
Lopez, the WBO 140-pound champion, revealed Saturday that he may soon be bringing his “Takeover” slogan to the welterweight division.
“147 is probably where I'll aim for my next fight,” Lopez told ESPN reporter Mark Kriegel.
Lopez accepted an offer from Kriegel to fight interim WBO welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr. in September at Madison Square Garden in New York.
“Look, I think what rings really good is 'Teofimo Lopez, 27-year-old three-division world champion,' and that's what I am,” he said.
Over the past year, Lopez He strongly hinted at retirementBut the 26-year-old New York native says those feelings are just Promotional Activities.
“I [previously] “I don't want to do it anymore. I don't need to do it anymore. I felt like I was done with it,” Lopez said. “At that point, I lost a little bit of enthusiasm. [talking about retirement]Especially after his incredible win over Josh Taylor.
“I still have that hunger for the game. I still have that love for the sport. That's the most important, crucial part.”
Lopez (21-0, 13 KOs) is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Steve Clagett on June 29. This bout will mark Lopez's fifth fight at junior welterweight since 2022, with his previous four fights having gone full rounds.
“I still believe I have the power,” Lopez said, “and as far as power goes, I'm still maturing as time goes on. It's more about IQ and EQ when I step in the ring. That's definitely where I'm trying to progress right now.”
“I [Hall of Fame Top Rank] matchmaker [Bruce Trampler and Brad Goodman] To build my career.”
Norman (26-0, 20 KOs), also promoted by Top Rank, is fresh off a dominant 10-round stoppage victory over Giovani Santillan.
Top Rank's 147-pound roster is weak, and Lopez would be a sensible opponent, especially after the WBO elevated Norman to the official title, an honor still held by Terence Crawford on his way to the 154-pound division.
Lopez is the current WBO 140-pound champion, but under the governing body's rules he can move up to 147 pounds and immediately challenge for the title.
Norman is interested in this opportunity. To fight Lopez.
“It would be easy to make,” Norman told Boxing Scene this week.
“if [Lopez] “If he wants to come to 147, I'd be happy to introduce him to the division. Anything is possible. We've seen what he's done in the past, trying to be great at a young age. … It can happen, but business is business. It probably won't happen.”
Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist, writer and broadcast reporter. He is also a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and the Mixed Martial Arts Journalists Association. He can be reached at @ManoukAkopyan on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube, or by email at manouk.[dot]Acopian[at]You can contact us at gmail.com or www.ManoukAkopyan.com
