Teofimo says he’s not bothered that his promoter, Bob Arum, didn’t look comfortable after his victory over Steve Claggett final Saturday night time on the James L. Knight Middle in Miami, Florida. Teofimo (21-1, 13 KOs) said that he didn’t care that Arum wasn’t enthusiastic about his efficiency as a result of he’s his “Final star.”
Lopez Disregards Arum’s Issues
Teofimo is extra of a light star who has gone to the supernova stage and is on his method out. He doesn’t understand that, however along with his eager eye, Arum should already suspect that Teofimo has reached his lifecycle and is now a dying star and solely being stored alive by Arum’s High Rank matchmakers propping Teo up.
Given Teofimo’s diminishing returns, it’s questionable whether or not Arum will wish to proceed selling him for for much longer. Lopez’s struggle towards Claggett, Jamaine Ortiz, and Sandor Martin reveals he lacks the expertise to beat top-rung fighters at 140.
Arum’s concept of matching Teofimo towards Brian Norman Jr. at welterweight would evaporate his profession. He’s one other instance of a former weight bully who isn’t the identical fighter in one other division.
It will be ill-advised for Teofimo to maneuver as much as 147 as a result of he lacks the facility and expertise to excel in that weight class with out being protected by High Rank. If Arum goes forward along with his concept of organising a struggle between Teofimo and Norman, it received’t finish effectively for the New Yorker.
The 140-lb Division: A Lifeless Finish?
Since shifting as much as 140 in 2022 after campaigning at 135 for the primary six years, Lopez has solely knocked out one in all his 5 opponents, journeyman Pedro Campa. Furthermore, Lopez has solely appeared good in one in all his 5 fights towards the washed Josh Taylor.
Lopez defeated the Rocky-esque fringe contender Catterall (38-8-2, 26 KOs) by a twelve-round unanimous determination, profitable by the scores 120-108, 120-108, and 119-109. Nevertheless, Arum was doubtless hoping for a knockout victory and a extra spectacular effort from the 26-year-old Teofimo, who confirmed additional indicators of regressing as a fighter.
“Bob [Arum] mentioned I did effectively. He don’t look too comfortable. f*** it, I don’t care. Like, I’m your solely final star obtainable. You simply received to cope with it,” mentioned Teofimo Lopez to the press, speaking about his promoter Bob Arum needing to place up along with his lackluster performances like he confirmed final Saturday night time towards Steve Claggett in Miami, Florida.
Teofimo ought to be involved about Arum not being happy along with his efficiency as a result of he’s the one who’s paying him effectively to artificially prop up his dying profession by matching him towards tender touches. With out Arum’s additional safety, Teofimo will endure repeated losses and be lower unfastened by High Rank.
Teofimo’s Diminishing Energy
“He’s speaking about going to 147, which I actually don’t advise,” mentioned boxing professional Chris Algieri to Fighthype about Teofimo wanting to maneuver as much as welterweight. “He hasn’t proven that very same energy that he had at 135 at 140. He’s 5-0 at 140 and he solely has one KO, and that was towards Pedro Campa early on. Even that, it was extra of an attrition than a single shot.”
It’s clear from Teofimo’s final two fights at 140 that he doesn’t have the facility to maneuver as much as 147, and he’s not going to unify within the mild welterweight division both. WBC 140-lb champion Alberto Puello can be a nightmare for Teofimo. The opposite champions, Isaac Cruz and Liam Paro, can be simply as harmful.
“I feel he has a chance to unify [at 140]. I’d favor him over all the opposite champions within the weight class,” Algieri mentioned about Teofimo. “I feel it might be a good suggestion for him to go acquire some belts. He mentioned on the finish that belts are essential. So, it might make sense for him to go acquire some belts.”
Arum’s Tough Alternative: Shield or Abandon?
Arum in all probability received’t be inquisitive about placing Teofimo in with another champions at 140 as a result of they wouldn’t be big-money fights, and the percentages of Teo profitable these matches can be low.
If Arum units up a struggle that isn’t one other sure-thing gimme for Teofimo, it’ll be towards one in all his High Rank fighters,]. That method, when Teofimo loses the struggle, Arum’s firm received’t endure a loss. He nonetheless comes out forward.
“Not solely are the blokes going to be greater, however he’s going to must go 12 rounds each time,” mentioned Algieri about what Teofimo can be up towards if he strikes as much as 147. “You don’t need these huge guys thumping on you. When you’ve received a man at 147 that does what Steve Claggett does, it’s going to be a really troublesome night time for Teofimo Lopez.”
