Teofimo Lopez Jr.’s father has his sights set on claiming the super lightweight belts after his son unified the 135lb division on Saturday.
The 23-year-old American defeated Ukranian Vasiliy Lomachenko after spending months trash-talking his opponent. After backing up his words, Lopez could now move up in pursuit of more belts.
“I think it’s time to move up,” Lopez Sr. explained after the fight, via BoxingScene.com.
“I think it’s time for him to go and try to get all the belts at the 140-pound division.”
However, he then suggested that a lucrative fight could keep the pair focused on the lightweight division for now.
"There’s no reason we have to stay at 135, unless, you know, they give us something to wanna fight for, you know? So, it all depends. It all depends. But I’d rather him go to 140. He’s been suffering at this weight for like seven years already.”
One such money-spinner could be a fight with WBC belt holder Devin Haney, who will take on Yuriorkis Gamboa on Nov. 7.
Lopez Jr. himself is keen on taking on the winner of Jose Ramiez vs. Josh Taylor, who are set to contest the WBC, WBO, IBF and WBA belts in 2021. A potential fight could see Lopez hold unified belts in two divisions.
Speaking after his fight on Saturday, Lopez said in his press conference: “I don’t duck or dodge any of these guys.
“And I think that they don’t got the will to win like I do. So, hell yeah, 140, if anything, it’s dangerous for them, man, because that’s where I’m really fully hydrated, I feel much better and I’m faster and I’m stronger than them.”
“I’m a big 135-pounder,” Lopez said, explaining the work and attention needed to take him down to the weight.
That work is in part why he could consider an easier task of fitting into the division above him.
“You know what I mean? Perfecting Athletes, who are my nutritionists, they definitely do their work and their math on me, you know? And it’s not even just dropping weight drastically. It’s about making sure that my brain is fine and perfectly in good condition to make that weight. So, I know I can make 135 again. That won’t be an issue, you know what I mean, as long as I stay consistent with everything.
“You know, I would love to definitely unify at 140, take all the belts and become undisputed champion back-to-back. Hell, yeah!”