When Teofimo Lopez referred to as for a combat with Terence Crawford, the Brooklyn man meant each phrase.
Crawford is an undisputed world champion within the weight class above Lopez and, after he dominated Errol Spence, Crawford is extensively thought to be the most effective boxer, pound-for-pound, within the sport.
When Lopez publicly focused Crawford, the latter issued an irritated response on social media. However it’s a combat that Lopez, the WBO super-lightweight titlist, genuinely needs.
“If you look at my track record, everything that I talk about, I walk it as well. We don’t just talk the talk to amp something up, we want to walk the walk,” Lopez advised Sky Sports activities.
“And I just had to remind him I’m the biggest cat in the world, absolutely and because of that we face fighters, great champions and I look forward to facing a fighter like him after this fight [against Jamaine Ortiz] however that pursues itself.”
He added: “This isn’t a publicity stunt right here. I believe that in case you have a look at my document and every part it exhibits, it exhibits that I actually select to face the most effective.
“Because that’s what ‘The Takeover’ is. What would I be if I didn’t do these things? Who would I be if I didn’t face the best? That is the only way I become greater.”
For his personal future, he takes inspiration from boxing’s historical past.
“The main guy that stands out of the four [kings] was Roberto Duran,” Lopez stated. “Regardless of whether he lost to all of them, he faced all of them and that right there is what I’m trying to bring back to my own beloved sport of boxing.
“In order that the following technology, they actually see what it takes to be a champion, a real champion in life, is by dealing with the most effective guys.
“Whether you think you’re ready or not, that’s the only way you find out is by going in that square circle and seeing it firsthand.”
A combat with Crawford is not such an sudden purpose for Lopez when you think about that he has crushed the most effective of the division at each light-weight and super-lightweight.
In 2020 Lopez sprang an upset when he beat Ukraine’s good Vasiliy Lomachenko. Although he then surprisingly misplaced the WBA, WBO and IBF light-weight belts to George Kambosos, he excelled once more final yr.
In June he turned the primary professional boxer to beat Josh Taylor, the Scotsman who had beforehand gone undisputed at super-lightweight.
By the point he boxed Lopez, Taylor had vacated three of the 4 titles he’d held however he by no means misplaced them within the ring and Lopez delivered a standout efficiency in opposition to him on the Madison Sq. Backyard Theatre in New York.
“It was a great event, great experience. I learned a lot with Josh Taylor. I can see why he beats a lot of those fighters and why he was the kingpin of 140lbs and I really appreciate having that type of fight with him,” Lopez stated.
“I will not discredit Josh Taylor for what he has done in his career. He has a lot of skills. He has deserved it the hard way and I wish him nothing but the best moving on in the near future for himself.
“I wanted that. I wanted the motivation. I wanted to query myself again after I confronted Sandor Martin so we might have a prime, prime efficiency like we did in 2023 in opposition to Josh Taylor.”
That end result alone has established Lopez on the pinnacle of the 140lb weight class, though Devin Haney, who moved as much as win the WBC title, would dispute that.
“Whether they like it, whether they don’t, that is none of my concern. You look at the rankings, the No 1 fighter is Teofimo Lopez in the junior-welterweight division,” Lopez stated.
“Maybe we [him and Haney] will do a unification bout. That’s up to them on their side.
“For myself, it is about legacy.”
For Lopez, the following job is to defend his world championship in Las Vegas, dwell on Sky Sports activities within the early hours of Friday morning, in opposition to Jamaine Ortiz, an previous novice rival.
“It’s a great turnaround to see how much he’s grown and how much I’ve grown as well,” Lopez stated of his challenger.
“He showed his grit [when Ortiz fought Lomachenko]. He showed his hunger and they had a great gameplan.
“Nonetheless Lomachenko is Lomachenko, he’s who he’s for cause. Nonetheless, it did present that this man’s a troublesome competitor and we should not for one second overlook it.”
But Lopez of course remains confident. “This proper right here units the tone to point out that I imply enterprise,” he said.
“They [other opponents] won’t take this combat after what I do with Jamaine Ortiz.
“I’m not even in my prime,” he added. “I can say this, people that fear Satan – he got nothing on me.
“I will terrify each single particular person.”
Watch Teofimo Lopez vs Jamaine Ortiz on Sky Sports activities Enviornment or Sky Sports activities Important Occasion from 1.30am on Friday