By Brad Marchetti – The I.B.F. lightweight title will be up for grabs Saturday, December 14th from Madison Square Garden with champion Richard Commey making his 2nd title defense against Teofimo Lopez. Teofimo Lopez vs Richard Commey Odds have Lopez -290 with 90% of fight picks on Lopez. The sharp betting action is on 2018 prospect of year Lopez who opened at -120 but sits at an inflated -290. The 22-year old Lopez, 14-0, 11 KO’s, has been touted as the next big thing but he will be met by a determined and experienced champion in Commey, 29-2, 26 KO’s. Is the Hondurian Lopez’s vaunted power the result of suspect opposition or is the kid deadly? Will the 32-year old Ghana warrior Commey be able to catch up to the slicker more athletic Lopez? With a win Lopez would become one of the youngest lightweight champions of all-time.
Teofimo Lopez – Scouting Report
Strengths: Quick hands and feet with fast-twitch reflexes makes him unique. Excellent upper-body strength for lightweight. Has displayed power in both hands against ordinary opposition. Right cross behind the jab carries the most thunder but has all the punches. Shoots the jab well off the hip always looking for counterpunches. Excellent boxing brain despite a small body of work in the paid ranks. Slickster that makes great use of the shoulder roll.
Weaknesses: Uses a different trainer every other day and it reflects in his confused ring identity. More of a boxer than puncher but likes to brawl for the lights. Questionable stamina having been 12-rounds only once against a much smaller opponent. Can be hit with overhand rights. Average punch volume. Average height and reach. Unknown chin. Too flatfooted.
Richard Commey – Scouting Report
Strengths: Booming right-hand puncher that throws with leverage and momentum. Stiff jab sets the table for bombs. Pressure fighter that comes forward from the opening bell. Very solid chin with marathon runner type stamina. Fundamentally sound with a difficult to penetrate high guard. Purple-hearted with excellent resiliency. Rough fighter that throws lots of hard leather with determination and grit. Long-armed. Very good finisher.
Weaknesses: Average overall boxing ability. Not the fastest of characters with ordinary footwork and decent but not great handspeed. Can be hit hard coming forward with head stationary. Stiff and somewhat methodical. Average height.
Predictions: Lopez is the superior athlete but Commey is the cleaner technician. Lopez has picked up some bad habits that a veteran like Commey will take advantage of. Expect Lopez to fight in bursts with flashy combinations that will impress the easily influenced judges without inflicting much punishment. A Brinks truck worth of cash has been invested into Lopez by Top Rank and the judges along with the referee will be giving the young star every chance to win. Commey will come forward with dogged determination but the more dexterous Lopez will stick to a game plan of moving and countering. Lopez should hit the canvas at some point when he fatigues but have enough in the tank to win a close but highly disputed decision.
Marchetti’s Pick: Lopez via split decision
Teofimo Lopez Power Ratings
Power: 8
Hand Speed/Accuracy: 8.5
Stamina: 7
Defense: 8
Chin/Resiliency: 7
Punch Volume: 6
Jab: 7
Agility/Balance: 7
Bodypunching/In-Fight: 7
Richard Commey Power Ratings
Power: 8.5
Hand Speed/Accuracy: 7
Stamina: 8
Defense: 7.5
Chin/Resiliency: 9
Punch Volume: 8
Jab: 8
Agility/Balance: 6
Bodypunching/In-Fight: 7
Intangibles
Height/Reach: Commey +1
Strength/Size: Lopez +1
Bodypunch Resiliency: Commey +1
Intelligence: Lopez +1
Confidence/Focus/Will To Win: –
Cuts/Injury: Commey +1
Age/Inactivity: Lopez +2
Judges Scoring: Lopez +4
Trainer/Camp: –
Marchetti’s Odds: Lopez -200
