Teofimo Lopez Considers Welterweight Move, Possible Title Shot Against Brian Norman Jr.

Teofimo Lopez says he may move up to 147 for his next fight and challenge for a world title.

Lopez (21-1, 13 KOs) could challenge Brian Norman Jr. with the WBO welterweight belt if he is promoted to full champion by the World Boxing Organization. Terence Crawford moved up to 154 and has not said that he is willing to return to 147 to continue defending the WBO belt.

Norman (26-0, 2Os) captured the WBO interim 147-lb title on May 18, knocking out Giovani Santillan in the tenth round in San Diego. The strength and stamina that Norman showed in that battle was amazing.

Lopez will need to think twice before moving up to 147 because his last two fights against Steve Claggett and Jamaine Ortiz at 140 showed that he is not the fighter he once was at 135. in his last four fights.

Top Rank partners have learned that Brian Norman Jr. the 23-year-old will be very strong and tough on Teofimo and will knock him out or hit him soundly.

Teofimo is in a difficult position because he needs to move up to 147 because he looked very tired, making weight to defend his last WBO 140-lb belt title against Claggett on June 29 in Miami, Florida.

Lopez's face was swollen, and both eyes looked bad from the many punches Claggett had thrown. This was supposed to be an exhibition fight where Teofimo would look impressive, but it was really difficult.

If that performance was due to the problems Teofimo was dealing with, he should step up.

Mark Kriegel: “There are two things I want to know. He has 135 single-shot lightning power. Do you have them at 140 and will you have them at 147?” said ESPN analyst Kriegel on Top Rank Boxing.

Teofimo Lopez: “147 is something I'm planning to move up to around this next game.”

Kriegel: “The next game is the next. You mentioned Pitbull Cruz. He wants to fight four times this year. There's only one way to do it, which is in September, maybe in the Garden. There is a lot of talk about you and Brian Norman at 147, which I think would be a hell of a fight. WHAT DO YOU THINK?”

Teofimo: “Teofimo Lopez is a three-division world champion at the age of 27. That sounds good to me.”

Kriegel: “You're fast now.”