Former world champion in lightweight American Teofimo Lopez (18-1, 13 KOs) has not yet fully mastered the new first welterweight division (up to 63.5 kg), and this, in fact, explains his inexpressive performance in last fight against the Spaniard Sandor Martin, according to promoter Bob Arum.
Recall that on the night of December 10-11 in New York, Lopez barely beat Martin on points by a split decision of the judges, having been knocked down at the start of the fight, which became his second in this category.
“I think he is still adjusting (to this weight). Five pounds (2.27 kg) seems like a little, but in fact it’s a big difference when it comes to weight, ”said Arum.
Bob understands why, against this background, few now believe that Teofimo has a chance to win in a potential confrontation with WBC world champion Regis Prograis (28-1, 23 KOs), but for obvious reasons, he himself did not write off the ward from the accounts :
“I guess you would prefer Prograis, but I think Teofimo can beat him.”
Lopez just explained his post-match question in the style of Kambosos, while the top promoter states the obvious: Lopez is regressing.