Teofimo Lopez returns to the ring this week to defend his WBO Super-Lightweight World title against Jamaine Ortiz. With a win, he has an idea of who he wants next.
‘The Takeover’ became a two-weight world champion last year, defeating previously undisputed Josh Taylor in an arguable career-best performance.
He briefly retired post-fight, but confirmed soon after that he would carry on. The first task on that journey is Ortiz, 17-1-1 (8 KOs) this Thursday in Las Vegas.
Speaking to Fruity Slots, Lopez confirmed that his focus was solely on Ortiz despite being mentioned with plenty of names in and around his weight class.
“There are lots of people mentioning my name, but it’s all strategic moves. I’ve had this before with George Kambosos, but now I have the experience. That’s why it’s great to have those L’s on my record, it’s great because it’s not a loss, it’s a learned lesson, because now I know why focus is important from a mentality point of view. My focus has only been on Ortiz, just last night I was film studying him. The talk about the other names is just nonsense for me right now. I’m blocking the noise. Do I want to face Haney and Crawford? Absolutely! But my first task is Ortiz. Crawford says he’s just travelling this year and I wish him the best, but may we meet eventually.”
Lopez held back on call outs for the most part, but made it clear that he wanted to avenge his sole career defeat against bitter rival George Kambosos Jr.
“I don’t want to name the names of who I want to fight because honestly, I’m bigger than all of them and they know it. But I’m going to avenge that loss to Kambosos, I’m telling you that. If that presents itself in the ring. That man better have bodyguards. “