Was Lopez the better fighter or had the better plan?

[Fidel456]

Simple question. I know theirs a lot of hating over this fight but to me looked like Loma and his corner came up with a loosing plan and as much crack as teófimo Sr smokes he had a perfect game plan.

[Combat Talk Radio]

More plan, less skill.

[SplitSecond]

Lomachenko was too “patient”. I don’t for a second think Lopez is a better boxer or anything. Lomachenko and co. tried to play it too cute and safe and it cost them.

[Punch on Tap]

Listen to Teo Sr in the post fight press conference. If you don’t have a different view of him then you’re not being reasonable.

I respect the noise he had to make to get his son in position to even get the world to notice his son, then Loma, and then to actually get Loma into the ring.

When Senior talks about strategy and gameplan going forward...I’ll listen.

[Punch on Tap]

More plan, less skill.

Are you serious? He neutralized Loma. Loma was Ukrainian dancing and couldn’t get angles. Why do you think? Because Teo had the left hook waiting. Teo’s footwork was amazing as well.

The constant jab to slow the setup and rhythm of Loma. The invest into the body early. Not chasing Loma down and wasting energy. He took small steps and stayed grounded. Laser quick counters that I couldn’t even see in real time until I rewatched it this morning.

Teo also adjusted your the head rushing Loma was doing trying to get inside. He was able to push him off and turn him.

Just give the credit. You ain’t gotta like him but at 23, to be that composed, to have the physical attributes but connect it with ring IQ...give credit.

To make the decision not to go for the kill because he knew Loma was banking on him getting gassed...all of that made him a better fighter and he didn’t even follow his fathers plan 100%. He adjusted. And the p4p Loma did not.

[DumpkinsPlus5]

"Be patient. Just be patient."

Popachenko didn't help with that game plan, but let's give Lopez credit. His power and counter punching ability also helped to make Loma tentative.

A fighter's game plan should ALWAYS consist of more than wait till the other guy gets tired. WHAT IF HE DOESN'T! That being said, I think Lopez showed he was the better fighter. If Loma presses earlier, he's coming towards a sharper more energized Lopez, which could've spelled danger. It wasn't until the snap started to leave from Lopez's punches that Loma got brave.

[megh50]

I think Teo showed more boxing ability and punch variety than Loma in this fight. He also nullified Loma's best assets and Loma couldn't get his rhythm to flow consistently. Loma has certainly showed more skill that he did in this fight against lesser fighters, but Teo showed a me lot, and I could see there is a lot more he is capable of. Teo's plan used all of his strengths. Loma realised he needed to sell out to execute his plan, and decided not to.

[Johnny2x2x]

Good assessment. That jab was to throw off Loma’s rhythm and timing. It rarely scored but that wasn’t the point. It was brilliant. And the body work took its toll and was a factor later in the fight.

[Robbie Barrett]

Better fighter. Loma didn't plan to lose the entire first half of the fight. Lopez looked like he was on his way to stopping him in the 12th too.

[Combat Talk Radio]

"Be patient. Just be patient."

Popachenko didn't help with that game plan, but let's give Lopez credit. His power and counter punching ability also helped to make Loma tentative.

A fighter's game plan should ALWAYS consist of more than wait till the other guy gets tired. WHAT IF HE DOESN'T! That being said, I think Lopez showed he was the better fighter. If Loma presses earlier, he's coming towards a sharper more energized Lopez, which could've spelled danger. It wasn't until the snap started to leave from Lopez's punches that Loma got brave.

The bold is the point everyone seems to be ignoring here.


Jacobs/Quillin. Jacobs went right into the danger zone. Completely NOT his style. He took a HUGE risk because Quillin had KO power. It paid dividends.

Wilder/Fury 2. Fury literally ran to the center of the ring and stood toe-to-toe with Wilder. Completely NOT his style. Even at one point he ate Wilder's signature punch and kept on coming.

Hagler/Mugabi. Mugabi was a KO artist like no other at the time and Hagler took his best and kept it moving.

Hagler/Hearns. Again, Hearns a KO artist, Hagler went straight to him. Got dropped, still pulled it out.

Benn/McCllelan. Gerald goes right after Nigel Benn, a KO artist, doesn't let him get set, knocks him through the ropes and just rocks his world in a war. Benn won, but he wasn't the same since and frankly shouldn't have won.

We've seen time and again that sometimes, the best strategy against a power bully is to bully them before they can figure you out.