Teofimo Lopez may have to find a new target.

After spending the last few months pushing the buttons of Terence Crawford, The Ring’s current junior welterweight belt holder and reigning WBO titlist, was hoping that Crawford had heard enough. The goal was simple, piss Crawford off to the point where he wanted to punch Lopez in the face. That goal, ultimately, was accomplished.

Somewhat.

As things currently stand, Crawford (41-0, 31 KOs) would love to get his hands on Lopez...outside of the ring. Settling their difference inside of that squared circle, however, doesn’t interest him. Instead, as previously reported by The Ring, Crawford is ostensibly on the verge of landing a showdown with Ring, WBA, WBC, and WBO super middleweight champion, Canelo Alvarez.

Although Lopez is seemingly out of the loop, thanks to his newfound partnership with Eddy Reynoso, Alvarez’s longtime trainer, he’ll remain close to the situation.

Presently, all signs point to a September showdown. Alvarez, of course, is familiar with big fights and the bright lights. In layman’s terms, the Mexican star knows how to conduct himself at the highest level. Be that as it may, Lopez (21-1, 13 KOs) does see a few holes in Alvarez’s game as of late. His self-appointed job now, is to make sure he shores them up.

“I’m a help him,” Lopez told Punsh Drunk Boxing during a recent interview over Zoom. “I’m a help Canelo. Canelo’s been a little flat. He needs to be more loose. I’m a make sure he’s very agile. That’s really gonna throw Crawford off a lot.”

After successfully moving up in weight to become a titleholder in four different divisions, Crawford planted his flag at the feet of Alvarez. Although 14 pounds separate them, the 37-year-old is confident that he has more than enough tricks up his sleeves to get the job done. Lopez though, is on the other side of the fence in that hypothetical matchup.

Could Crawford bemuse Alvarez early on? Without question. But will he have enough to keep it up for 12 consecutive rounds? Lopez doubts it.

“I think Crawford is gonna give Canelo something to look at. Crawford does throw combinations and he does throw to the point where he tries to be awkward at the same time but Canelo is just gonna weather the storm. Canelo doesn’t get frustrated so much. Especially in the beginning of the rounds. He knows that people are going to start off strong. I think it’s a great fight and I think Canelo wins in the end.”