Teofimo Lopez On the possibility of Gervonta Davis-Vasyl Lomachenko SShowdown: “I think Tank has the upper hand”
By: Sean Crose
Teofimo Lopez has business to attend to on Saturday night when he defends his WBO welterweight title against Steve Claggett in Miami. However, he has been asked to consider other matters, such as the potential big fight between Gervonta Davis and Vasyl Lomachenko. “I think Tank will be nervous going into the fight,” Lopez said, courtesy of Combat Center“Loma is going to show his skills. Tank is going to try to take him down. Loma needs to go to the body. Tank is going to try to hurt him by hunting his head, throwing his favorite shot that he likes to throw, which is his left hand.”
However, the hard-core Brooklynite says Loma’s age and difficult career may work against him. “It feels like if we go the distance, Tank will win,” Lopez said. “I love the man Loma, I mean he’s a tough fighter when I go up against him, I’ll say that. But I just feel like he’s not the same anymore.”
However, Lopez was quick to point out that Davis needs to perform to the best of his ability if he is to face Loma in the ring. “The number of punches Tank showed in the Frank Martin fight – he lost every round,” Lopez said. “He’s just waiting for that big punch. If he fights like that, Loma will win because Loma won’t wait for that big punch….however, if they want that fight it’s because they believe Tank should beat him just because of the fact that Loma is leaving.”
What is the end result?
“I think Tank has the upper hand,” Lopez said.
That said, the fighter dubbed “The Takeover” is eager to talk about his own fight with Claggett on Saturday night. “I’m looking forward to making a statement that’s true,” he said. “I have everything it takes to win as a true champion.” And while it’s true that the 20-1 fighter is expected to beat the 38-7-2 Claggett, Lopez isn’t just knocking out his opponent this weekend, he’s also calling Claggett “my first legitimate fighter in a while.”
For Lopez, it’s all about staying busy. Being the best means a lot to the 26-year-old. Provided he gets past Claggett this weekend, as expected, the young welterweight champion wants to keep his schedule tight. “The next fight (will be in September, God willing),” he said. “We just do what we have to do on Saturday night. You can’t count your chickens before they hatch.”
