Teofimo Lopez suggests moving up to 147 pounds, possibly for the next fight

Teofimo Lopez has hinted that he may move up to 147 pounds, two weeks after successfully defending his Ring Magazine junior welterweight title against Steve Claggett.

Lopez (21-1, 16 knockouts) addressed the topic this past Saturday during an interview with ESPN+'s Mark Kriegel, revealing that he may move up in weight as soon as possible for his next fight. Lopez said, despite going the distance for the fourth time in a row against Claggett, he believes his strength will follow him to welterweight.

“I believe that I still have the strength. I am still growing as time goes by. As far as (as) energy is driven It's very similar to IQ and EQ when you're in that ring. And I think that's where I'm really trying to improve myself now. And (147 pounds) is something I'm planning to go to, maybe even in the next game.

“I believe that what sounds like arrogance is Teofimo Lopez, the third world champion who is 27 years young.”

Lopez, a former The Ring's lightweight champion himself, was the standout against Claggett, hurting him at times, including in the eighth round. According to Lopez, Claggett was a 'Fiery Bull' type fighter, and he understood what kind of enemy he was.

Going into the Claggett fight, Lopez admitted he lost interest in boxing, but has gained a greater love and appreciation for the sport in recent months.

“What I've learned is that I shouldn't fix things that aren't broken,” said Lopez. “What I have learned about myself is that I still have a hunger for this game. I still have that love for sports. I think that's an important part of it. When I expressed it on ESPN, on the platform, on the last show with Max Kellerman, I remembered that I expressed that I don't want to do this anymore. I didn't need to. (I felt) like I accomplished everything. So as a warrior, myself, I put that on my part and I really want to retire. I think I lost a little fire then.

“For me, honestly, I knew going into it. I knew the type of fighter I was up against. We (Top Position) have amazing partners, Hall of Famers, in Brad Goodman and Bruce Trampler, and they know how to get the job done. That's why we call it, Top Rank. That's why. Only the elite could measure up, at this level. I learned from this process of getting there to allow the players of the game to take care of my work. For example, they did the work of Miguel Cotto, Felix Trinidad, Floyd Mayweather, Oscar De La Hoya. The list could go on and on.”

Lopez, who now lives and trains in Las Vegas, Nevada, may return to action in late September, most likely at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Carl Moretti, Vice President of Operations for Top Rank, confirmed to The Ring a card that could include undefeated junior middleweight Xander Zayas and undefeated featherweight Bruce Carrington.

As for Lopez's opponent, the name being considered is Brian Norman, Jr. (26-0, 20 KOs), who in his last fight on May 18, knocked out Giovani Santillan to win the WBO interim welterweight title.

Lopez, who will turn 27 on July 30, has won his last five fights since a split decision loss to George Kambosos, Jr. November 2021. Hosted by David McWater.

Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has handled boxing in Southern California and internationally since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. They can be reached at [email protected]

Follow @FSalazarBoxing