By Sam Volz: Teofimo Lopez says he’ll be fighting next on December 10th at Madison Square Garden in New York following his seventh round technical knockout of Pedro Campa at 140 last Saturday night in Las Vegas.
Former four-belt lightweight champion Teofimo (17-1, 13 KOs) wants to fight for a world title in December against IBF/WBO light welterweight champion Josh Taylor or for the WBC belt against the winner of Jose Zepeda and Regis Prograis.
Interestingly, the 25-year-old Teofimo says he doesn’t want to fight Ryan Garcia or Arnold Barboza, as neither of those fighters has anything to bring to the table due to them being belt-less.
Teofimo feels that he can become a two-time unified champion within a year if he makes the right move by focusing on fighting only for belts.
Granted, Teofimo was never the undisputed champion at 135, but that’s not stopping him from embellishing his credentials by telling fans & the media that earned this distinction.
“I need to work a little on some things, but overall, I feel good,” said Teofimo Lopez to Fighthype. “Little by little, those punches are going to add up and eventually hurt them.
“In December, I’m going to be fighting again on December 10th. Maybe at Madison Square Garden or maybe at the O2 Arena against Josh Taylor. Yeah, I want to shoot for the titles.
“Having these guys like Barboza, Ryan Garcia, and all these other guys, it’s just getting in my way of becoming a two-time undisputed champion. I know I can do it within the next year.
“Absolutely,” said Teofimo when asked if he’d still like a fight against Ryan Garcia. “However, what does Ryan bring other than the fans? I understand there’s going to be a lot of money, but I don’t see that as my mindset.
“The money is always going to take care of itself. I’m not worried about that. I know where I’m headed. I’m headed to the castle. I had to get the ring rust out, but I’ll beat the s*** out of all these boys.
“Hopefully, by next week, I’ll be in the rankings as the mandatory to fight Josh Taylor,” said Teofilo.
