Teofimo Lopez is preparing to move up from the lightweight division, aiming for the junior middleweight division in the future.
Lopez is the undefeated unified lightweight champion, though he claims the undisputed designation. Ahead of him lies an IBF lightweight mandatory defense against George Kambosos Jr, with the Australian challenger also sporting an unbeaten record. A purse bid is scheduled for Thursday after their respective camps failed to reach an agreement in bout that's currently set to occur in the United States.
“Right now, I’m staying at 135 for now, just so I can see the winner of [Jose] Ramirez-[Josh] Taylor," Lopez said in speaking to ESPN.
Ramirez and Taylor are expected to battle for the undisputed junior welterweight championship sometime in May.
Why is Lopez ready to move up in weight when there are marquee fights against WBC titlist Devin Haney, Gervonta Davis, and Ryan Garcia on the horizon? The native of New York claims Haney, Davis, and Lopez not yet ready to take him on in any fight.
"They're famous on the internet. I'm real-life famous," Lopez said. "They got to get their weight up. They're not my level yet. Devin Haney has fought half of his career in Mexico. He's been fighting cab drivers. 'Tank Davis has been fighting 122, 126-pounders. Next. What's next?"
A lightweight many leave out of the young core is former three-belt titlist Vasiliy Lomachenko, who Lopez beat in October. Lopez is dismissive of the idea of a rematch against the former unified 135-pound champion.
"I'm not worried about the guys behind me, Lopez said. "I'm worried about taking over."