Teofimo Lopez joined Ring Magazine’s panel to discuss his upcoming title fight against Rolly Romero and also tackles some touch questions about his father’s shortcomings during his loss to Shakur Stevenson, changes that have been made, and the growth from everyone involved. Here’s some excerpts of what he had to say.
Teofimo on how he’ll approach his fight with Rolly
“Honestly, just boxing his head off. Getting back to my fundamentals and my basics, that’s really what I’m focused on in this upcoming match with Rolly. I know they say he’s a heavy hitter.
We got into the ring a few times sparring but nothing’s like a real fight so I look forward to a real showdown with him.”
On the drastic style difference he faces, going from Shakur Stevenson to Rolly
“A true champion can adapt to anything I think with Rolly, he definitely improved and he is awkward at times. He throws his punches in weird ways but I think that’s what makes for an exciting fight, an exciting return for me…I think this right here leads to the winner taking on the winner of Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn and that’s what we’re looking forward to.”
On plans to take advantage of Rolly’s relative inactivity
“Absolutely. We’re going to take it right to him. I think the same is going to apply to Rolly, him being out a year time frame so I think we’re just going to go in there and take advantage of the opportunity he’s been out the ring for I’d say over a year now. So I think all the cards are laid out for me to take over.”
On the decision to keep his father in his corner after he got so much criticism for his lack of instruction in the Shakur loss
“I think the whole purpose there was there’s no need to take away, but just add. So we’re adding a trainer of mine that I grew up with that taught me the fundamentals as a kid…I think that’s all I’m doing, is just adding to the mix. I think my father knows how to express to the other trainers coming into this camp now how I operate, how I work, what’s best for me, and what is not. I mean, he can instruct them the best way and they can just mold together.
“I think my father needs more voices in the corner to speak for him and also to see different and get on that same road. I wouldn’t be Teofimo, I wouldn’t be that person — obviously I got to get in that ring and show up every time — but it’s good, man. I’ve had my moments of failure and it’s alright for a coach to have the same. It is. I think if this occurs again, then there’s something I definitely got to reassess and see what I can do best in my career.
“I think Vergil Hunter would be another one would be great for my style. I need guys that are technical, that can adapt to my style because I’m not only athletic but I can box, I can fight, and there’s all ranges of that. So, my father just had a very terrible, off-night just due to things of his bad habits. But these are things we’re fixing. he’s a better man now from it. Sometimes people just need a reality check and I think him and myself got one that night.”
