Teofimo Lopez has regressed since beating Lomachenko. Flat footwork, a weak jab, low punch volume, and no Plan B had been exposing him at 140 pounds.
He takes on another big name US boxer Rolly Romero but this time up at 147 pounds.
Maybe the move in division might help him. Some things to jot on his technical boxing decline in recent years;
- Footwork has become flat and stagnant against mobile opponents
- Cannot cut off the ring effectively at 140 pounds
- His jab lacks power and snap to control distance
- No Plan B when his explosive bursts are neutralised
- Punch volume has dropped to historically low levels
- Has not progressed technically since the Lomachenko win
- Cannot adjust during fights once the game plan breaks down
- Reaches into counters and pushes his jab instead of snapping it
- Struggles against high-volume combination punchers
- Fights reactively rather than taking the lead or controlling pace
- The Barboza and Stevenson fights both proved him in decline
He had been blaming the father as his trainer for the Stevenson fight up until recently.
But he has him back in the team at the moment it looks so you never really can see the full picture from Teofimo Lopez.
He might surprise people this month but he is not the fighter that beat Vasily Lomachenko of Ukraine.
Rolly Romero is going to test that fight game of Teofimo Lopez shortly, rest assured.
Check out our latest boxing news.