Teofimo Lopez says he wants to fight WBO interim welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr. in Los Angeles later this year.
Lopez (21-1, 13 KOs) expects Norman (26-0, 23 KOs) to be promoted to full WBO welterweight title by the World Boxing Organization as Terence Crawford moved up to 154 and took the WBA belt.
Taking the WBO title would put Teofimo in a good position to get a more lucrative fight against Crawford.
It’s doubtful that Crawford will return to 147 for the Teofimo fight, but he could easily move up to 154 once he’s at welterweight and acclimates to the division.
Crawford hasn’t shown interest in a fight with Teofimo recently, but he still believes a fight with Canelo Alvarez is possible. That is no longer an option as His Excellency Turki Alalshikh has chosen not to pursue it.
If Crawford stays at 154, his options don’t pay any better than a fight with Teofimo would. That’s a sellable fight, especially if Teofimo beats Brian Norman to take the WBO belt.
Teofimo’s vision of Crawford
“I thought age would start to catch up to him at 38, but it started at 36,” said Teofimo Lopez on Fight Hub TV, talking about Terence Crawford looking older in his fight with Israel Madromov last Saturday night.
“They are taking out the thing that I blocked Brian Norman with. I didn’t catch him or avoid him at all. What I want to do is to fight. I look at New York; I love Madison Square Garden. It’s a good home for me.
“I just want to try another way with all due respect and go to LA. I’m still going to fight Brian Norman. Crawford just fought. I am sure he will want to spend time with his family. I will continue to work. I think [WBO president] Paco [Valcarcel] it raises.
Teofimo usually fights in New York City, where his fans are based, but now he wants to try LA. Some supporters believe this is a tax-focused move to avoid high taxes in New York. If this is a move to save money on taxes, Teofimo should focus on Nevada or Texas.
The rise of Norman
“Now that Crawford has just fought, I think Paco will lift [WBO interim welterweight champion] “Brian Norman will be the welterweight champion,” said Teofimo. “So, I will fight for the world title. I’m not holding anyone back. It could be the end of this year or the fall.”
Teofimo must really want Crawford’s payday to be willing to move up to 147 to face a dangerous puncher like Brian Norman Jr. He is hitting hard and is coming off a tenth round submission victory over Giovani Santillan last May in San Diego.
“It doesn’t matter to me. We’re ready, we’re always ready. I am 155 right now. I’m pretty sure you’re at 170, and that’s fine. We just keep going like that. Best location for Staples Center [in Los Angeles]. I know they call it Crypto, but I always call it Staples. I have never fought in LA,” said Teofimo.
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