Former holder of four titles in lightweight (up to 61.2 kg), and now a fighter in the super lightweight division, American Teofimo Lopez (17-1, 13 KOs)
answered questions representatives of the American media.
Journalists asked Teofimo about the lessons he learned from the defeat to Australian George Kambosos, thoughts about a possible revenge, comments on the statements of the WBC champion from the USA Regis Prograis (28-1, 23 KOs). Teofimo, as usual, spoke proudly about himself and recalled the fight with the Ukrainian ex-unified lightweight champion Vasily Lomachenko (17-2, 11 KOs).
Recall that on December 10, Lopez has a fight against the offender of Mikey Garcia Spaniard Sandor Martin (40-2, 13 KOs).
— What did you understand from the fight with Kambosos?
— That I should change my game. Not the way I talk or how I present myself in the ring. I have to change my game like the people who drive this sport.
– Do you see how you can have a rematch with Kambosos? It could be another interesting fight.
— I don’t want to talk much about the fight with Kambosos at the moment. I just stay focused on the current task.
“Your father predicted certain achievements, and you more or less achieved all of them.
Yes, he is Nostradamus. These are facts. He called them. That we beat Lomachenko after we knock out Richard Commey. And we did it. That’s why he says, “I told everyone…” He continues now with the same energy. We have moved to 63.5 kg and I should become the first two-time absolute champion. It doesn’t matter what the price is. We’re here for the glory. That’s what matters.
What do you think about Regis (Prograis) saying that he would send you to the hospital?
I don’t think these guys can talk. I don’t think they are very good at expressing their thoughts. That’s why I’m the first boxer to know the science of life. Where are their achievements? Where are their achievements? But it normal. I will help them. In fact, he wants to say that he will kill me. I almost died last year around this time. If you’re telling me you’re going to send me to the hospital, I take it to mean that he basically just beats the crap out of me. But you can only talk about it. But I won’t say I’m sending you to the morgue. I’ll let death do it to you..
Does this level of trash talk motivate you?
– Not. To be honest, what motivates me is that these guys don’t fucking understand what they’re doing. Sorry for my language. But they don’t know what they are doing. Not their coaches, no one. You can’t learn it, you can only talk, you have to learn it. It’s all knowledge right here [показывают на голову]. You have to know your craft, you have to know who you are working with, you have to know who you are talking to, you have to know your viewers, you have to do a lot of research. And these guys want to be – “I’m a tough guy in the ring, I got a hand raised, that’s all. I’m going to make $100 million.” No, it takes a lot more work. That is why we are here today. We are heading to the main event with many sponsors in MSG for these reasons.
- “You yourself saw everything with Lomachenko.” Teofimo Lopez says he loves lefties
— I spoke with your opponent. He said that he had over 200 fights and never fell. How confident are you that you will be the first to drop it?
– I met with fighters who had not fallen before. And I dropped them. Therefore, I am confident in myself and my skills. I worked very hard in this camp, more than ever. I love the energy that I get. This is my second fight this year. The last time I had two fights in a year was in 2019. I love the energy, I love growth, I study more and I become a better student before becoming a teacher.
– How do you feel, having risen to 63.5 kg?
– Awesome. I’m already overweight. No stress. That’s what good preparation means. Many don’t even know that when Sandor Martin fought Mikey Garcia, he was at a catchweight of 65-66kg. So if anyone will suffer on the scales tomorrow, it will be Sandor Martin.
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“What I love to do is spice up the game. People need it. They need excitement, entertainment, fun. A lot of fighters don’t like to express it to other fighters because we want to keep it to ourselves. I don’t think this is correct. Especially at today’s press conference, I will show it to other fighters. Give interviews to everyone, even boxing podcasts with five subscribers. Do it. That’s how I started in my career. And look where we are. I will show this to the young fighters. I’ll tell them not to say no to interviews because you need people. We all need each other. I don’t take money for this. I mean, I should, but who will I be after this. This is how I limit my potential.
— I have 12 bucks for you right now.
— Hey, I’ll give them to the children. Let them buy water, milk or whatever.
- Martin ran into Lopez, accused him of foul play. Former champion’s response
Do you think Josh Taylor will be a tougher fight for you than Regis Prograis?
– The only difficult fight I have is a fight with myself. Obviously I did this to myself last year and I learned from it. None of these guys… The thing is, I inspire fear before they even date me. Because the eyes don’t lie, Chico. They will see it when we meet each other. They will feel my vibration, they will feel my energy, they will feel everything I have worked so hard to be where I am right now.
— Theo, how long did it take you to switch from Pedraza to Martin after he (Pedrasa) dropped out?
– Look, I fought one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in this game – Vasily Lomachenko. I don’t care who I date. They don’t fight like Lomachenko. Never will. They don’t even have IQ in the ring like Lomachenko. Lomachenko had a lot to deal with. It not only exhausts you mentally, it exhausts you physically. And it drains your body spiritually. This guy is literally the Matrix. You need to download everything. But I’m a genius. Albert Einstein of this sport. But I don’t underestimate any of them. This is a new generation. I am the leader of a new generation. See, Top Rank, ESPN, that’s what we’re talking about. And I don’t brag about it. I love it.