Teofimo Lopez Vs. Arnold Barboza Jr. Predictions – ‘It’s A Chess Match’
Teofimo Lopez will fight Arnold Barboza Jr. on May 2, as boxing insiders gave their predictions for this fight.
Lopez defends his WBO Junior Welterweight Title after having retained it in his last bout against Steve Claggett. He is a two-weight world champion, who is looking to secure the biggest fights. A win takes Lopez a step closer to bigger bouts against the likes of Devin Haney and Ryan Garica. It also justifies the decision of the Saudis to work with Teo, who wants the bigger paydays.
Barboza Jr. secured a massive win over Jack Catterall in his last fight to secure the title shot. That took his record to 32-0. Barboza is not the biggest puncher, with just 11 KOs to his name. Barboza knows a win propels his career with the biggest scalp on his resume. Here is how boxing insiders saw the fight playing out.
Lopez Vs. Barboza
“It’s an interesting fight. Teofimo is so talented. The problem with him is he can be hot and cold. It’s a mental thing with him. He can be hot and cold. I think he needs to be challenged. I think that he needs to be threatened. I think he needs to be, if you will, scared to the point where he will be at his best. Where he won’t take anything for granted. If he’s in that mindset. It’s a real solid fight. I would have to lean towards Teofimo if he’s right mentally,” Atlas
“Teo can sit back and he’ll wait on you. He’ll let you work to be able to line up his shots. But if Barbosa chooses to fight, Teo will come forward too. This is going to be one of those chess matches. It’s not going to be a highly entertaining fight. It’s going to be a chess match because both guys are versatile. Teo is versatile, more explosive, got punching power. But you got a more technically all-around fighter in Barbosa. I think that’s the small little difference,” Tim Bradley
“Here’s my thing with Barboza — I figured out the problem with him: He will not punch unless he knows you’re in range and he’s going to hit you. He had to step up in his last fight against Jack Catterall, yes. He stepped up against Catterall, forced it, and made some things happen. But that’s not really his nature. If it’s becoming his nature, then I’m 100% with it. And even then, I thought that fight was still close. Barboza’s problem is he won’t throw unless he knows he’s in range.
“On the other side, Teo often becomes a counter-puncher waiting for that ‘Action Jackson’ big shot. And Barboza doesn’t give you a lot of openings, you know what I mean? I think the fight’s going to be interesting. I do have Teo winning because I think he’s more athletic, and he’s the kind of guy that can pounce — he can steal rounds,” Shawn Porter
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