Teofimo Lopez Ready To Climb To Super-Welterweight To Fight Terence Crawford
WBO super-lightweight world champion Teofimo Lopez Jr says he’s ready to climb two divisions to secure a mega-bout against pound-for-pound great Terence Crawford.
Crawford (41-0-0 31 KO) became a four-weight world champion earlier this month when he defeated Israil Madrimov on points in Los Angeles to claim the WBA’s 154lbs title. With the backing of Saudi Arabian powerbroker Turki Alalshikh, Crawford is being lined up for more big fights, with Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez and welterweight star Jaron Ennis among the names mentioned.
The Canelo fight appears dead and buried amid an ongoing feud between the Mexican and Alalshikh, while Ennis is focused on becoming undisputed at 147lbs before making the step up to 154.
There are still several options for Crawford, including unification bouts, but Lopez (21-1-0 13 KO) has put his name in the hat to be the Nebraskan’s next opponent.
Lopez ‘Can Fight Crawford Right Now’
Despite their current fighting weight differences, Lopez and Crawford are the same height, while the New Yorker is following a similar path to ‘Bud’; he won his first world titles at lightweight before becoming a two-weight world champion at 140lbs.
“Now that we have Riyadh Season in the mix, why can’t we make a Crawford and Teofimo fight happen? We’re in the house now. Make it happen,” Lopez told BoxingScene. “More money doesn’t cause more problems. More money causes more boxing.
“Absolutely I can [move up to 154 pounds]. And I will. Just send me the date. I am walking at 155 pounds right now. I can fight Crawford right now.”
Lopez also took the opportunity to offer his thoughts on Crawford’s victory over Madrimov and suggested that the 36-year-old appeared to be slowing down.
“I didn’t expect for age to catch up with Crawford so quickly [against Madrimov]. I thought it would happen at 38 and not 36,” Lopez, 27, said. “Everyone had high expectations of Crawford – he even had high expectations against Madrimov.
“But this is boxing, and things happen like this. This is probably good learning for him. He couldn’t figure out his moves and feints. Maybe he shouldn’t have taken so long coming back [after the Errol Spence fight in 2023]. But to each his own. I wasn’t Terence Crawford in that fight. I’m Teofimo and I look forward to facing him in the coming year.”
Ennis Also A Target For ‘The Takeover’
While Crawford appears to be Lopez’s primary target, the former unified lightweight champion says he would also be interested in a welterweight showdown with IBF title holder Ennis.
“To be honest, whatever plans they have. I have nothing but respect for Boots,” said Lopez. “We’ve known each other a long time. We won the National Golden Gloves together in 2015. We were both 17 years old. If people want to see it, then we’ll do it. I don’t say no to any fight. As long as it’s eye-catching and eye candy to everyone who’s watching, that’s what really matters.”
Lopez also took the opportunity to set the record straight after reports claimed he ducked the opportunity to fight Brian Norman Jr, who this week was elevated to WBC welterweight world champion. ‘The Takeover’ insists that the reason the fight wasn’t made was because he wants his next bout to be in California.
“I didn’t duck or dodge Brian Norman at all,” he said. “Look, I love New York. I love Madison Square Garden. I fought nine times there throughout my career. It’s a home for me. I fought in Las Vegas four times. I just want to try a different avenue, with all due respect, and fight in Los Angeles. I’ve never fought in L.A and I want to. And I’ll still fight Brian Norman this year. Crawford just fought. I am sure he wants to take some time to be with his family. I still want to stay active. I’m ready.”
