Junior welterweight titleholder Teofimo Lopez Jnr on Friday confirmed that he has formally added Eddy Reynoso to his workforce as co-trainer along with his father Teofimo Lopez Snr, as reported by talkSPORT boxing editor Michael Benson.
Lopez, 21-1 (13 KOs), had already frolicked working alongside unified tremendous middleweight titleholder Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and Reynoso, the 2022 Coach of the 12 months and longtime Canelo coach. And on Friday he posted a photograph of himself, Teofimo Snr and Reynoso, together with the next message, on his X social media account:
“Not however TRAINER OF THE YEAR (Eddie Futch) Award winners in my nook!”
Shortly after, Reynoso retweeted Lopez Jnr’s submit with a fast message of his personal:
“Let’s do it.”
Lopez, 27, loved a rocket-ship rise at light-weight, the place he gained a title in a convincing stoppage of Richard Commey in 2019 after which unified belts with a signature win over future Corridor of Famer Vasiliy Lomachenko in 2020. On the time, Lopez was thought of amongst boxing’s ultra-elite – a top-five pound-for-pound fighter on some lists.
However a lackluster break up choice loss to George Kambosos Jnr in 2021 marked a setback that appeared to ship Lopez spinning, in and seemingly exterior the ring. A subsequent transfer as much as junior welter has produced blended outcomes, from the great (a unanimous choice over Josh Taylor to earn his present belt) to the mediocre (a break up choice win over Sandor Martin and an unimpressive if extensive choice over Steve Claggett in Lopez’s most up-to-date combat, in June).
Lopez Jnr’s tense-at-times relationship along with his father and numerous private struggles have typically been aired publicly. Whether or not they have contributed to any of his inconsistencies within the ring can solely be speculated on, however the official enlistment of Reynoso – a gentle, comparatively low-key determine by boxing requirements – could not solely present Lopez Jnr with knowledgeable teaching but additionally a much-needed sounding board and buffer.
The unofficial association already gave the impression to be paying dividends, and even acquired the buy-in of the mercurial Lopez Snr.
“My father and Reynoso are speaking collectively, and I believe that’s the perfect [option],” Lopez Jnr mentioned of the co-trainer setup in September. “I don’t transfer with out my father, and my father has undoubtedly pushed this transfer for me to go to Canelo’s camp, and my dad was there. It’s been nice. We’ll see what occurs.”
Though Lopez Jnr hasn’t fought because the Claggett bout and would not but have his subsequent combat lined up, the arrival of a world-class coach and concord in his camp can solely be characterised as constructive developments. To this point, so good.
