Lopez Expects Improved Performances At 147

Teofimo Lopez believes his best work at welterweight is still ahead of him.

The newly crowned champion told Bad Left Hook that despite beating Rolly Romero in August, he expects sharper performances as he settles into the 147-pound division. Lopez said the long training camp — February through August — left him physically fatigued by fight night, even though his conditioning held up. "I'm more pleased in what I seen in myself in this fight and I know in the next one it'll get better," he said.

Lopez Felt Comfortable At Welterweight

Lopez dismissed any concerns about his power or durability at the higher weight. He said taking shots from Romero, widely considered one of the division's hardest hitters, confirmed the move was sound. "I think the 147 division was a great call on behalf of my career and I felt great inside that ring," Lopez said. He added that sparring sessions have left him more sore than the actual bout did.

The former lightweight kingpin said Romero never pressed the action as promised in pre-fight interviews, forcing him to adjust on the fly. Lopez credited his experience against elite opposition for handling a cautious opponent trying to bait him into mistakes. He said he plans to tighten his technique now that the weight class transition is behind him.

Lopez mapped out a path to undisputed status at welterweight and called for an eventual showdown with Devin Haney. He said he has closed the chapter on a potential rematch with Shakur Stevenson unless circumstances change. Lopez praised his father's corner work during the Romero fight, noting the unconventional coaching style works because they understand each other's shorthand.

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• Bad Left Hook — ‘In the next one it’ll get better’: Teofimo Lopez expects improved performances at 147