Teofimo says it doesn't bother him that his promoter, Bob Arum, didn't look happy after his victory over Steve Claggett last Saturday night at the James L. Knight Center in Miami, Florida. Teofimo (21-1, 13 KOs) said he didn't care if Arum wasn't happy with his performance because “He's only his star.”
Lopez Ignores Arum's Concerns
Teofimo is above a faint star that has gone to the supernova stage and is on its way out. He doesn't realize it, but with his keen eye, Arum must suspect that Teofimo has reached his life cycle and is now a dying star and is being kept alive by Arum's Top Rank players who promote Teo.
Given Teofimo's diminishing returns, whether Arum will want to continue promoting him long-term is questionable. Lopez's fights against Claggett, Jamaine Ortiz, and Sandor Martin show that he doesn't have the talent to beat any of the top fighters at 140.
Arum's idea of matching Teofimo with Brian Norman Jr. at welterweight he will change his career. He is another example of someone who was a bull weight who is not the same fighter in another division.
It would be ill-advised for Teofimo to move up to 147 because he does not have the strength and talent to succeed at that weight without the protection of Top Rank. If Arum goes ahead with his idea of setting up a fight between Teofimo and Norman, it won't end well for the New Yorker.
Since moving up to 140 in 2022 after campaigning at 135 for the first six years, Lopez has knocked out one of his five opponents, runner Pedro Campa. In addition, Lopez only looked good in one of his five fights against the washed-up Josh Taylor.
Lopez defeated Rocky-esque fringe contender Catterll (38-8-2, 26 KOs) by unanimous decision over twelve rounds, winning by scores of 120-108, 120-108, and 119-109. However, Arum may have been hoping for a knockout victory and an impressive effort from 26-year-old Teofimo, who showed some signs of regression as a fighter.
“Bob [Arum] I said I did well. He doesn't look too happy. f*** it, I don't care. Like, I'm your only available star. You just have to deal with it,” said Teofimo Lopez speaking to the media, talking about his promoter Bob Arum who has to put up with his poor performance as he showed last Saturday against Steve Claggett in Miami, Florida.
Teofimo should be worried that Arum is not happy with the way he is working because he is the one who pays him well. support passively his death job by matching him with a soft touch. Without the additional protection of Arum, Teofimo will lose repeatedly and be released by Top Rank.
“He's talking about going to 147, which I don't recommend at all,” said boxing expert Chris Algieri talking to Fighthype about Teofimo wanting to move up to welterweight. “He didn't show the same power that he had at 135 at 140. He is 5-0 at 140 and has only one KO, that was against Pedro Campa in his debut. Still, it was a lot less interesting than a single shot. “
It's clear from Teofimo's last two fights at 140 that he doesn't have the strength to move up to 147, and he won't meet in the light welterweight division. WBC 140-lb champion Alberto Puello will be a nightmare for Teofimo. The other champions, Isaac Cruz and Liam Paro, will be equally dangerous.
“I think he has a chance to combine [at 140]. I would choose him over all the other heavyweight champions,” said Algieri about Teofimo. “I think it would be a good idea for him to go get the belts. He said in the end the belts are important. Therefore, it would make sense for him to go get the belts.”
Arum probably won't be interested in putting Teofimo or any other champions at 140, because they won't be big money fights, and the chances of Teo winning those matches will be slim. If Arum starts a fight that isn't another sure thing for Teofimo's gimme, it will be against one of his Top Rank fighters,]. That way, when Teofimo loses the fight, Arum's company will not lose. He is still coming out ahead.
“Not only are the guys going to be big, but he's going to have to do 12 rounds every time,” said Algieri about what Teofimo will face if he moves up to 147. to you. If you have a 147-year-old guy doing what Steve Claggett did, it's going to be a very tough night for Teofimo Lopez. “
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