WBO contender says Teofimo Lopez found success to the body in January title fight
Emiliano Vargas is already mapping out a future fight with Shakur Stevenson. The unbeaten contender pointed to body work as the area he would test after Stevenson’s win over Teofimo Lopez.
Vargas, 21, has been moving quickly at junior welterweight and is already ranked #5 by the WBO, putting him within reach of bigger fights if he keeps winning. He said Stevenson looked “amazing” against Lopez, but believes steady work downstairs gave Teofimo his best success of the night.
“I think that every fighter has a different approach that you have to take towards them. Shakur looked amazing in his last fight, he honestly surprised me and a lot of other people,” said Emiliano to Ring Magazine.
“I understand that, the right time, God already has it picked. So, if we were to fight with Shakur down the line, we would have to obviously solve that puzzle,” Vargas said to The Ring.
Vargas pointed to the body as the area he would test.
“Honestly, Teofimo was doing a great job when he was going to the body, and really, after that, he had his moments to the body, and then Shakur would keep him on the outside,” said Emiliano.
“Shakur even said it himself, that he got hit with a body shot one time, and he wanted to throw up. I have been hit in the body before, and it doesn’t feel good. So, I think that no fighters like body shots,” he said to The Ring.
That is still a big call from Vargas. Stevenson did far more than edge Lopez. He controlled the fight, won wide on all three cards, and looked stronger at 140 than plenty of people expected. Vargas may see an opening, but getting Shakur in front of him is the hard part.