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According to IBF, WBO, WBC Franchise, WBA lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez, he drew a lot of inspiration from retired five division world champion Floyd Mayweather.
Last year, the 23-year-old Lopez catapulted his career with a defining twelve round decision win over Vasiliy Lomachenko, a two-time Olympic gold medal winner and coming in was regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world.
He explains that Mayweather’s dedication to training, even when fights were not scheduled, left a lasting impression on him.
Mayweather always led a clean lifestyle with no alcohol, cigarettes or drugs.
“We did it, don’t get comfortable, we’ve got to keep moving. We’ve got to keep working,” Lopez told Sky Sports News.
“I learned that from Floyd. Floyd was always someone that stayed motivated. He knew what was at hand. He was always staying in shape for a reason, because he never got caught up in it, and because he was so disciplined. It’s all about discipline. The moment you are disciplined and you have that self-discipline, you are able to do these things without it being so hard.”
The next opponent for Lopez is likely the IBF’s mandatory challenger George Kambosos. As BoxingScene.com recently reported, the IBF has officially ordered Lopez to face Kambosos.
The contest with Kambosos will likely head to the challenger’s backyard of Australia – where there is a good chance of having a sizable live crowd.
Lopez cautions that he’s still learning – and it would be advantageous for all of the top names at 135-pounds to fight him sooner than later.
“People are going to have to be careful,” said Lopez.”I tell them like this, ‘It’s better you get me now, than later’. “By the time you get me later, it’s going to be too late for everybody.”