What’s Next For Lopez After The Shakur Loss?

Lopez could move up to 147 and face someone like the former WBO Welterweight Champion Brian Norman Jr. Norman Jr. is coming off a loss to Devin Haney, which was the first defeat of his career. Norman Jr. suffered a broken nose, as Teo could be facing someone at the right time. A fight against Norman Jr. allows Lopez to immediately jump into a title shot in a new weight class, bypassing a long rebuilding phase.

A fight with Devin Haney remains the biggest domestic matchup available for Lopez. Haney became a three-weight champ after beating Brian Norman Jr. in his last bout. The “bad blood” between Lopez and Bill Haney (Devin’s father) provides a ready-made fight. The fight could have happened at 135 and 140 pounds, only for it not to happen with suggestions both were ducking. It is also a fight that allows Teo to chase a belt in a third weight class. 

Equally, if Lopez stays at 140, he could take on Richardson Hitchins. The latter is the IBF Junior Welterweight Champion. Hitchins has been vocal about wanting Lopez in a “Battle of New York. If Lopez wants to regain a foothold at 140 lbs, taking on a fellow New Yorker for the IBF belt could be the perfect chance to bounce back. 

“I was too focused on one particular thing [instead of] really enjoying what I could see opening. I was catching him with the body shots a lot, that was effective, but [I needed] more combinations. I did poorly [by] not listening to my team. That’s on me. Take it on the chin. My team did a phenomenal job, they had great guidelines and instructions, I just didn’t listen tonight … I knew about his jab … I was playing too much to his game, that’s all,” Lopez said