Vasiliy Lomachenko, Josh Taylor and Shakur Stevenson seem beside Teofimo. Stevenson is a questionable inclusion as a result of their assembly occurred within the amateurs, however the victories over Lomachenko and Taylor nonetheless surpass something Rolly has achieved as an expert.
“Rolly Romero and Teofimo Lopez meet for the WBA welterweight title on Saturday evening in Vegas. Who has fought the more durable opposition of their profession thus far?” Ring posted on X.
Teofimo clearly confronted the stronger competitors. The graphic leaves out what these fights took from him.
Lomachenko pressured Teofimo by means of a tough second half in 2020. George Kambosos Jr. dropped and defeated him the next 12 months. Sandor Martin, Jamaine Ortiz and Steve Claggett every dragged him by means of uncomfortable rounds. Even a few of his victories added put on.
Practically six years have handed because the Lomachenko combat, and Teofimo now not performs with the identical consistency, mixture punching or confidence. His bodily means stays, but it surely surfaces in shorter stretches. At 29, he appears to be like outdated in boxing phrases.
A special model surfaced towards Arnold Barboza Jr. Teofimo stayed cellular, landed rapidly and refused to stay shut sufficient for prolonged exchanges. The cautious method secured the choice, however he stunk out the Instances Sq. occasion.
His ways appeared borrowed from Shakur, with Teofimo adopting the least entertaining elements of that model with out matching Shakur’s defensive precision. Successful took precedence over pleasing the gang, however the change advised he now not trusted the aggression that carried him previous Lomachenko.
Rolly has developed in the wrong way. Defensive holes stay, however his persistence, timing and punch choice have sharpened. His energy has by no means been unsure.
That doesn’t imply he would beat Tank or Cruz in rematches. Each would stay favorites, though neither combat would essentially be as simple immediately. These knockout losses resemble defeats younger amateurs take in earlier than growing into extra full fighters.
Rolly doesn’t want the higher assortment of victories to win Saturday. He wants one clear opening towards a worn Teofimo whose best efficiency got here almost six years in the past.
