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Lopez Wants Crawford At 160

Originally posted on BoxingNews.com | Last updated Dec 2, 2025 9:31 PM ET

Teofimo Lopez, the WBO Junior Welterweight Champion, is eying a Terence Crawford bout at 160.

Lopez’s comments follow as he prepares to box Shakur Stevenson on January 31 in a defense of his WBO belt for the fourth time. Teo secured a win over Arnold Barboza Jr. in May, but has been eying Bud for a prolonged period. Their feud started when Lopez controversially referred to him and Gervonta Davis as “monkeys.”

Lopez and Crawford nearly came to blows at the Canelo Alvarez vs. Edgar Berlanga fight after Bud tried to slap Teo. While they campaign at different weight classes, Lopez has not given up hope. Teo is willing to move up three weight class to face Bud at 160, just as Crawford eventually moved up from 147 to beat Canelo at 168, without having boxed at super middleweight previously.

“Crawford sent out one of his little guys to finish the job, and I think that’s not going to work. I’m still going to be here, and if he’s still going to be in boxing, I’d love to face him right after. He is the guy, he is the man of boxing. I think if he could go up three weight divisions to fight Canelo Alvarez, why can’t Teofimo go up two weight classes or three to face Terence Crawford,” Lopez said

Will It Happen?

Moving from 140 to 160 pounds in a single jump is exceedingly rare at the elite level. While a boxer can gain muscle, a 20-pound difference fundamentally alters power, durability, and natural size advantages. Lopez has already shown signs of his power not carrying as cleanly from 135 to 140 pounds in some of his performances, as he has not secured a stoppage since 2022 when he beat Pedro Campa in his first fight at 140. However, that was his sole stoppage at 140.

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The fight’s timing is entirely dependent on Lopez first defeating Shakur. A loss would severely damage Lopez’s credibility and leverage to demand a fight with Crawford. Crawford is now operating at a nine-figure negotiation level for his biggest fights, following his win over Canelo. López, even with a win over Stevenson, would need to prove his commercial pull is significant enough to make Crawford take a step down in weight.

This article first appeared on BoxingNews.com and was syndicated with permission.

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