Teofimo Lopez next fight options: Haney, Tank or will champion retire?
After periods of questioning his abilities, Teofimo Lopez returned to his form on June 10. “The Takeover” defeated Josh Taylor to become the WBO and The Ring Super Lightweight Champion. It was a feat Lopez will never forget.
At just 25, Lopez has beaten the likes of Vasiliy Lomachenko (lightweight) and Taylor (superlightweight) to determine the fate of two divisions. He joked about earlier doubts he had about himself after a fight in which he landed an average of 13 punches per round and landed 40% of his power punches.
“I questioned myself for good reason. You guys don’t get it,” Taylor said. “I’ve always been my worst critic. And you got a little taste of it. But I just have to ask you guys.” One thing, and one thing only. Do I still understand it?”
Lopez is back on boxing’s oft-discussed pound-for-pound list, setting the fate of the super lightweight class. Will he go up against the rest of boxing’s best or will he not be around much longer in the division or even in the sport?
MORE: Teofimo Lopez returns at elite level and proves himself again
Lopez has many opportunities in boxing, from the current undisputed champion to what many call the “face of boxing.” He has even hinted at a possible retirement to take “a break” from the sport.
The Sporting News examines the options Lopez has after his big win.
Will Teofimo Lopez fight Devin Haney?
Thanks to the family, it’s a match between Taylor and Devin Haney, the undisputed lightweight champion.
Haney beat the man (George Kambosos Jr.) who beat the man (Lopez) who beat the man (Lomachenko) and went unchallenged at 135. He has since defeated Kambosos in a rematch and bested Lomachenko to retain the belts. After a questionable goal decision in the last fight, Lomachenko could try to face Haney again.
Top Rank’s Bob Arum presented options for Haney’s fight: Lomachenko, Shakur Stevenson and the winner of Lopez-Taylor.
The fathers of both men have already planned a fight between the two. Teofimo Lopez Sr. demanded a $20 million payout to Bill Haney if there was a dispute with her sons.
Will Teofimo Lopez Fight Gervonta Davis?
Davis just picked up a win over Ryan Garcia in April. However, he is serving 90 days in prison for violating the terms of a recent penalty imposed after a hit-and-run accident.
Once he’s able to keep up, “Tank” has options.
MORE: Gervonta Davis Legal History:
The WBA (Regular) lightweight champion could face Garcia in a rematch. He can also compete against players like Stevenson, Frank Martin or Isaac Cruz. Lopez’s father respects Davis’ abilities and spoke about a future fight between the lightweight champion and his son.
“Tank is a fucking monster,” Lopez Sr. told Boxing Scene. “I respect Tank, he has a strong left hand but he has to get close to the front runners. We are here, we are waiting for him.”
Will Teofimo Lopez retire from boxing?
While duels against boxing’s elite are tempting, Lopez may be interested in hanging up his gloves.
After his fight, Lopez told reporters at Madison Square Garden that he wanted to take a break from the sport. Boxing will also come second as he faces his ex-wife in divorce hearings. Lopez even posted on Instagram that his boxing career was over.
“What a relief! Retired at the top. Thank you Boxing for the amazing life you’ve made possible for me and all my loved ones! TWICE THE GREATEST.”
If Lopez feels like fighting again, he would only do it for a raise. Speaking to Shawn Porter on The Porter Way Podcast, Lopez wants a nine-figure deal. He claimed to have given ESPN, Top Rank’s broadcaster, enough to justify the money he was seeking.
“I think the only way to get Teo back is to get a nine-figure contract,” Lopez said on Boxing Scene. “Because I made ESPN over $100 million. I’m still getting a million dollars for fighting, while all these other fighters haven’t even done a quarter of what I’ve done and achieved in this sport, they’re getting eight, 10, 12, 15 million dollars. Obviously I’m the black sheep of the industry and they really hurt me in that regard. I really want to fix boxing and the corruption that is going on there.”
Top Rank has yet to comment on Lopez’s future as of this writing.