TEOFIMO Lopez could step up and fight WBO Interim welterweight champion Brian Norman Jr in his next bout. Lopez is the WBO super-lightweight champion and has held the WBO, WBA and IBF lightweight titles.
Going up and defeating Norman Jr, 26-0 (20 KOs), would technically see him become a three-weight world champion. In September at Madison Square Garden there are rumors and the coy Lopez loves the gossip.
“Listen, I believe that sounds a bit arrogant,” laughed Lopez, speaking to ESPN’s Mark Kriegel. “Yes, Teofimo Lopez, a three-division world champion who is 27 years younger. That sounds pretty good to me, and I’m all for that.”
Fresh from challenging Steve Claggett in Florida (below), Teofimo has made no secret of his desire to fight four times this year. September will be the perfect time to hit number three, and the quartet will be completed in December.
To put a shadow on tough guy Norman Jr, who showed grit and determination over Giovani Santillan in a bloody fight in May, Teo will need to retain some of the one-shot power he showed at 135, but so far he’s been lacking. at 140. While the speed and athleticism is still there, is that fighting power still there?
“I believe that I still have the strength. I am still growing as time goes by, as the power sees me. You know, it’s very important with IQ and EQ when you’re in that ring, and I think that’s where I’m really trying to improve myself so far,” explained Lopez, mysteriously not responding.
With Subriel Matias coming off a surprise loss to Liam Paro, Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz was linked with Lopez in the 140-pound rumble. That would be an interesting matchup if Top Rank can reach over the molten lava and break bread with PBC. Moving seven pounds to the north would make this idea null or void.
“147 is something I plan to move on to. Maybe even in the next game,” warned Teofimo Lopez.
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