by Michael Woods

You, yes you out there are getting fatter and in the moment happier sampling delicacies galore, be it roast beast or mama’s prize-winning lasagne or Uncle Gronk’s fall off the bone ribs…and c’mon, you are not turning down the a la mode option when pie is apportioned during the holiday feast.

But fighters, guys and gals who have fights set to kick off their New Year, can’t be so self indulgent. Yes, fighters aren’t like us, they need to be cut from sturdier cloth, have more willpower and ambition than we mortals. They know the fork is not an implement, but an enemy...

Teofimo Lopez, the Top Rank young gun who was born in Brooklyn, grew up in Florida and now calls Las Vegas home, won’t be falling into the trap of gobbling too many goodies as he celebrates Christmas with fam.

“My holidays are just spending a lot of time with my loved ones and maintaining my weight,” the 7-0 hitter (6 KOs) told me on Christmas Eve morning.

“My next fight is February 3rd in Corpus Christi, Texas, live on ESPN, scheduled for eight rounds,” he continued. “I’m also scheduled for March 17th at MSG, the Theater."

I asked Teo how he sees himself, right now. Top prospect? Future superstar? 

“Both! I am the present and future of the sport of boxing,” he told BoxingScene.com.  “I’m only 20 years old with a record of 7-0 6 KOs and this only the beginning. I’ll be world champion by the age of 21 and make history by becoming Top Rank’s youngest world champion that they’ve ever had!

The lightweight Lopez, managed by David McWater, trains out of the Top Rank Gym and as of right now is the only Top Rank fighter that they have living out there in Vegas. “Staying busy is something I’m very thankful for. Top Rank sees a bright future in me so they’re moving me fast! I love the switch from Florida to Vegas. (which he did this summer). I feel more comfortable and focused here than I was in Florida. I believe this is what I needed to push me to that next level.”

 Lopez won the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials and the 2015 National Golden Gloves and is a six time U.S. national champion, for the record. He ripped Honduras in the 2016 summer Games.

Dad trains him; so, is Teofimo Sr a good trainer? (I know, a lame question, but it must be asked!)

“Well, look at me! I’m one of the best, if not the best, prospects coming out the Olympics. So yeah,  I believe he’s a good trainer!”

Sounds like he’s taken to Vegas like an Elvis impersonator from the East Coast…

“Surprisingly I do like Vegas. The best part is that California and Arizona are four hours away from each other and also there’s a casino a mile away from where I live and I go there for the movies or for $1 bowling.” OK, but it’s not all glitter and gold, is it? “The worst part I’ll say are the drivers. A lot of accidents happen in the state of Nevada especially in Vegas so always buckle up!”

OK, last one, this is a test... What delicacies are going to be floating around that you will try your best not to scarf? “To be honest,  due to me always training and maintaining my in-take in food, weight isn’t a problem for me. So I could eat certain things. My favorites are macaroni and cheese with breadcrumbs on top which my cousin makes me. Also chicken cutlet, which my mom makes me and filet mignon,  which my dad makes. Those are my favorites, and for holidays like Christmas it’s usually tamales…it’s a Spanish thing!”

Lopez comes off as driven but humble, offering this to me and rooters, in closing: “Thank you and of course happy holidays and happy New Years to you! God bless and thank you.”

I offer the same to you, readers....

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