Teofimo Lopez Makes His Prediction Ahead Of Gervonta Davis vs. Frank Martin

Teofimo Lopez is sharpening his tools ahead of his June 29 bout with Steve Claggett in Miami.

In two weeks, he will make the second defense of the title he won from Josh Taylor last June and he has made one subsequent appearance, outscoring Jamaine Ortiz in a drab fight in February.

Now, Lopez wants to stay active and keep busy through 2024 but, asked for his thoughts on this weekend’s bout in Las Vegas between Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Frank Martin, the weight class below where Lopez holds the WBO title, Lopez predicted a Davis victory and emphasized the importance of being able to cope with the big occasion.

Challenger Martin is 18-0 (12 KOs), but this is by far the grandest stage he has fought on, boxing in the main event on the evening of the MGM Grand’s 100th fight card celebration. 

“’Tank’ and Frank is a great fight. It’s a good show and event, despite ‘Tank’ not showing up to the Grand Arrivals the other day,” said 26-yer-old Lopez. “I think ‘Tank’ has a lot of focus. He understands what it takes to get to the next level. 

“Frank Martin has never been at this high degree, or this pedigree or a magnitude of a fight like this. He’s gonna have tens of thousands of people in attendance, he’s gonna have millions watching at home. A lot of pressure’s on him. But this is what you ask for.

“I don’t understand these fighters. They ask to be the best and fight the best but when it comes to it, they choke when it matters the most. You asked for it. This is what comes with it. Get ready. Buckle up. Put your big boy pants on and fight. 

“I think Frank Martin could show a lot of holes in the ‘Tank’ style. He can show that there are weaknesses in ‘Tank’s style. However, does he have the mental strength for it? We’ll see June 15th.”

Lopez still identifies Terence Crawford as the potential opponent he most covets and considers himself on “a different path” to “Tank”, who he thinks will come through Saturday’s fight in Las Vegas.    

“It’s for ‘Tank’s’ WBA lightweight title, so the world title is on the line,” said Lopez. “Frank has a lot to gain, nothing to lose. Everyone’s counting Frank Martin out. He’s the underdog. People are expecting Tank to win by knockout, I believe Tank should finish him in no more than six or seven rounds. That’s where I’m at”