In an interview with Fight Hype, Teofimo Lopez Sr. talks about the forthcoming clash between two of boxing’s modern giants, Terrence Crawford and Errol Spence. “Everybody’s getting what they want,” he says, pointing to the fans’ long-held desire for this showdown.
The matchup, which has been the subject of numerous boxing forum debates and fan fights, is finally within reach. “Every time I spoke to you about it before it’s always been…is it gonna happen? It’s finally gonna happen,” Lopez Sr. relays with a sense of satisfaction.
A Balanced Bout: Spence vs. Crawford
When asked to break down the impending brawl between Crawford and Spence, Lopez Sr. acknowledges the hefty challenge of forecasting the outcome.
“I really believe that this is a 50-50 fight,” he candidly admits, echoing the sentiments of many in the boxing community who see both fighters as top-class contenders. However, he does give a slight edge to one of the contenders.
Spence: The Unyielding Warrior
In Lopez Sr.’s estimation, Spence brings a different level of intensity and endurance to the ring that might just tip the scales in his favor. “Errol Spence got to live a little bit different of a dog in him, you know what I’m saying? He got no quitting in him. He’s got a big heart,” Lopez Sr. praises, highlighting Spence’s relentless, tireless style of fighting.
The Body Shot Test
Lopez Sr. points to Spence’s proclivity for body shots as a potential decisive factor in this fight. Crawford has yet to be truly tested in this area, and how he handles this tactic could significantly influence the outcome of the fight.
“How he’s gonna take those body shots…how he’s gonna succeed with an attack from Spence that’s gonna be dogging and dogging the whole night,” Lopez Sr. postulates, acknowledging this could be Crawford’s most significant challenge yet.
Lopez Sr.’s Call
Despite acknowledging the merits of both fighters, Lopez Sr. leans towards Spence when asked to predict the victor. “I think it’s gonna be a stoppage. That fight is not going to go the distance…I gotta go for Errol Spence, bro,” he firmly states.
The ‘Young’ Guys
Among the new generation of fighters, Teofimo Lopez Jr. seems to have caught the elder Lopez’s eye. The rising star, according to Lopez Sr., is striving to go toe-to-toe with the biggest names in the industry. “A lot of people are seeing that Teofimo Lopez Jr. is doing it. He wants everybody. He wants the best. Out of all the young guys that are coming up, Teofimo is the only one that’s looking for the big fights.”
Lopez Sr. believes his son’s ambition is putting pressure on other fighters, especially those like Terrence Crawford and Errol Spence. Fans want to see these fights, and Lopez Sr. feels his son is pushing the envelope, forcing boxing to evolve and rise to the occasion. “We want to see that fight with Canelo and Benavides. We want to see those fights… boxing is alive and it’s prospering right now, man. I can’t wait, bro. This is beautiful.”
