Teofimo Lopez hopes to go into an undisputed fight with Josh Taylor with little delay.
The former unified champion at 135lbs lost to George Kambosos Jr. last year, giving him the chance to pursue all four belts with Devin Haney later this year.
Lopez struggled far more than anticipated in a fight he began as favourite, and his team have now moved him up to super lightweight in order to help him fight at his best without having to worry about cutting the kilos close to a fight deadline.
He is likely to have a tune-up fight in the division, with Arnold Barboza Jr. mentioned as a potential rival, but in a recent podcast appearance he mentioned that Taylor could be a viable option. That would be a surprise for a few reasons.
Not only does the step up in weight offer a fresh challenge, but Taylor has mandatory obligations at 140lbs, with the WBA ordering a fight with Alberto Puello. As well as that Taylor also struggled in his last bout with Jack Catterall when many saw him as fortunate to escape with his belts. The Scot suggested that he too was struggling in his current weight class, and a move to welterweight had been anticipated.
Nonetheless, with PBC representing both fighters a deal could be struck with relative ease, and Lopez hinted at behind the scenes negotiations to Kate Abdo on The Good Fight.
“It looks like we’re working on some stuff, so we’ll figure it out,” he explained.
“Don’t hold me accountable to it. I’m hearing from different ends, you know, and the main head told me.”
“You see how God works. If everything goes the way it does – you know, I was shooting for one thing, the WBO belt, but look, if God works the way he does, I’ll get all of them in one shot again.
“They don’t know who they’re talking to, though. I’m just letting that ride out. That’s gonna change.”
Lopez discussed his No. 2 ranking after his step up, defending his swift move up.
“They put me as number two in the WBO rankings because I’m fit for it,” Lopez explained.
“I bring the excitement for the 140 division. Who else is? Whether [Ryan] Garcia or anybody else that comes up they have to come see me at 140. That’s me taking over that division.
“None of those guys at 140 have yet to accomplish that goal, yet alone getting three belts or four. I got five at that time. There are levels and there’s things to it. I’m still the man.”