Following his stunning points victory over Vasiliy Lomachenko last month in Las Vegas, unified lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez firmly believes that he is now a top five pound-for-pound fighter.
The deserved unanimous decision verdict sent shockwaves throughout the boxing world, with many considering Lomachenko the best fighter on the planet prior to their unification bout.
“It’s amazing. I believe top five is where I belong. One thing I don’t like is that it’s me and Loma next to each other. I’m like, ‘Nah, kick him out.’ In reality though, it’s crazy just to see your name on there. To see that out of many, many fighters in the world, and you’re in the top five,” Lopez said to TalkSport.
“It goes to show me that we’re doing something big. I’m very happy and I’m very appreciative of those who have acknowledged me for all the hard work and all the stuff that we have done.”
With huge fights to be made with fellow unbeaten stars Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia and Gervonta Davis, Lopez has so far remained unconvinced by his lightweight counterparts.
The unified lightweight champion believes that all three are still some way from joining him on the pound-for-pound list.
“For anyone that’s trying to be in the pound-for-pound list alongside me, you have to beat somebody that is not a cab driver, that is not a tomato can and that actually has a pulse. As regards to ‘Tank’ Davis, to Devin Haney, to Ryan Garcia.” Lopez said.
“I know they’re trying to squeeze some of these other guys into the pound-for-pound list now that I’m on. But nah, not yet.”