BEVERLY HILLS—Teofimo Lopez is targeting fights against the likes of Brian Norman, Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, and Terence Crawford.
Lopez, a former two-weight world boxing champion, was speaking Tuesday at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles as part of a two-city press tour to kick off the Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez vs Edgar Berlanga event that takes place September 14 in Las Vegas.
The 27-year-old has fought mostly on the East Coast, against the likes of George Kambosos Jr., Sandor Martin, and Josh Taylor, but is interested in a Los Angeles fight of his own.
He even talked about the three opponents he has in mind, starting with ‘Bud’ Crawford, whom he’ll move up in weight class just to fight.
“He’s the pound-for-pound [top fighter], so I’ll go up — for him,” Lopez told World Boxing News and other reporters.
Crawford recently labored to a unanimous decision win Saturday over Israil Madrimov atop Riyadh Season’s first-ever event in the US.
Lopez, though, appeared unimpressed with Crawford’s performance and suggested he’s past his prime.
“I thought age would catch up to him at 38, but it happened at 36,” Lopez told us.
Speaking later, Canelo supported Lopez’s desire to fight Crawford.
Though Riyadh Season boxing broker Turki Alalshikh has been lobbying for a Canelo vs Crawford fight, the Mexican boxer said, “Crawford needs to fight Teofimo first, then we’ll see.”
He added, “I’m not asking for that fight. They want to make that fight because it’s a payday, obviously. I don’t want that fight. Teofimo deserves it more than me.”
Lopez then talked about alternative opponents should the Crawford match-up fail to materialize.
He said he’s eager to fight the WBO interim world welterweight champion Brian Norman as he understands WBO President Francisco ‘Paco’ Valcarcel is elevating Norman to the full WBO welterweight world championship.
Lopez said he’d relish challenging him for that title. “I don’t duck nobody,” Lopez told World Boxing News and other reporters, adding he’d be ready in the fall or later.
The fighter was then asked about Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, who, this year, signed with Matchroom and defeated David Avanesyan in Philadelphia earlier in the summer.
“I have nothing but respect for Boots, we’ve known each other for a long time,” Lopez told us.
“We won national Golden Gloves together, both 17. I never say no to any fight, as long as it’s eye candy to you guys, that’s all that matters.
“My main focus is Crawford, and, truthfully, I know it is for him, too.”
Alan Dawson is World Boxing News Lead Writer, a 2 x Sports Journalist of the Year finalist, and 5 x BWAA awards winner. Follow Alan @AlanDawsonSport.
