Teofimo Lopez Could Move Up To 147

Teofimo Lopez has hinted that he could move up to welterweight for his next fight. 

The Takeover is the WBO Junior Welterweight Champion, a title he picked up after beating Josh Taylor. He has defended it successfully twice, beating Jamaine Ortiz and Steve Claggett in his last fight. Despite beating Claggett comfortably, it was not the big KO statement that fans were wanting.

Lopez has struggled to make the big fights at 140, failing to get Devin Haney, Subriel Matias, Isaac Cruz and Ryan Garcia before his one-year ban. Lopez has been accused of being a small commercial draw, which has hampered his ability in negotiations despite having an impressive resume. Wins over Vasiliy Lomachenko, Richard Commey and Taylor have made him a two-weight and two-time lineal champion.  Now, he is considering a move up to 147.

Lopez Reacts

“147 is something that I plan on moving toward, probably even in this next upcoming match. Listen, I believe what really sounds swell is ‘Teofimo Lopez, three-division world champion at 27 years young.’ I’m all about that,” Lopez said

The problem Lopez faces is that he is not the biggest puncher. He outlanded Claggett considerably in his last fight, but he never looked like getting him out of the ring. If he moves up to 147, there will be much bigger punchers. Jaron Ennis has a 32-0 record with 29 KOs. He knocked out David Avanesyan over the weekend in impressive fashion.

Meanwhile, Eimantas Stanionis has a 15-0 record with nine knockouts. While a fight against the WBC Welterweight Champion may be the target, Lopez needs an introduction to the division before he takes on the biggest names. Brian Norman Jr. has welcomed the idea of fighting Lopez. 

Lopez’s Options

“If [Lopez] wants to come to 147, I will gladly introduce him to the division. Anything is possible. We have seen what he did in the past, trying to be great at a young age. … It could happen, but business is still business. Maybe it won’t happen,” Norman Jr. stated

Meanwhile, Lopez has thrown his name into the hat for a Terence Crawford fight at 154. Bud makes his debut at junior middleweight against Israil Madrimov on August 3. If Crawford secures a win, he becomes a four-division champion. Lopez has been chasing Crawford for some time. Bud responded by telling Lopez to focus on his weight class, given the big names at 140. However, Lopez has remained persistent, chasing another big name on his resume. While Crawford has plans to box Canelo Alvarez at 168 or a possible fight against Jaron Ennis at 154, Lopez remains hopeful of getting that fight. 

“Yeah, I am. I’m a nutcase. I’ll go right to it. How many times have people done it, and maybe they haven’t succeeded? That’s the beauty of it. Why can’t I do it? The beauty of it is I will succeed from it. That makes it much sweeter when I win,” continued the desperate-sounding Teofimo, who badly wants a fight against Terence Crawford, no matter what weight,” Lopez stated