Teofimo Lopez takes some time to catch up and discuss his ongoing training camp as he prepares for a welterweight title fight against Rolly Romero. Here, Teofimo explains how he’s taken lessons from past fights and has worked to improve on his deficiencies, and looks forward to demonstrating a better form in this upcoming fight. Check out some excerpts below.
Teofimo on how training camp has been for the Rolly fight
“Well, I’m feeling like a champ. That’s for sure. Camp’s been going great. We got sparring later today but we just been persistent, we’ve been consistent
as well. We’re just focused on this one. My welterweight debut, I’m looking forward to taking over this division and it starts with Rolando Romero.”
On only having one stoppage since 2022
“I think that it’s comforting [that I’m moving up in weight]. I think mentally, I’m there when it comes to the physicality part. And I just can’t wait to express that on that night, fight night. So it’s been great, I feel much better, and I’m excited for everyone to tune in.
On how he thinks he fits in at 147 considering he’ll be facing bigger, longer fighters
“I think I’m going to fill out just right. I think what I did in ‘35 at lightweight, that’s what’s going to occur, if not better at ‘47 now with experience. So I look forward to it. No matter the reach…if [Pacquiao] can do it, why not Teofimo?”
On the keys to facing longer-armed fighters
“Punch output. The punch output is going to really distract you to really get in there closer and step in. So those are the things that you see with Pacquiao…The more you blur them, the more they’re not going to notice you’re actually creeping up on them at the same time. So those are things that we’re really working on and looking to capitalize, for sure.”
On how he assesses Rolly’s style
“Roly is really focused on getting his shots in and making sure that he gets in counts, and it matters. And it makes the fighters himself think about coming in or not. But I don’t think that’s going to be the case here. I really don’t. I think those one, two potshots, those three potshots — I learned from my experience in the past fights.
“I didn’t start with the jab to close that gap [in the Stevenson fight]. So that’s really what we been working on. My left arm is killing me right now from the amount of jabs we’re working on but it’s to strengthen that arm and remind it ‘what is the most important punch in boxing?’ The jab. So by doing those things we’re going to capitalize on closing that gap. Without that jab I really can’t find the range of throwing that right hand or the uppercuts, right hooks, anything like that.
“So we’ve been really technical with this camp.”
On Rolly’s trainer Ismael Salas believing he’s an aging opponent
“His assessment is just on my previous fights and at 140. But I think they have a big surprise coming, for sure. I’m very hard on myself with regards to criticizing myself and what I need to do in my craft, so those things that he mentions, I make sure that those don’t occur on August 22.”
On the chances we get a dull fight because they’re actually friends and respectful of one another’s power
“No, I think we’re at a point now where I think he believes he’s better than me and I know I’m better than him, and we’re going to have to really have to show that on that fight night. So I don’t think it’s going to be one of those ‘being careful’ type of fights.
