Arnold Barboza Jr. Wants To See If Teofimo Lopez Is Bluffing
Top rated junior welterweight Arnold Barboza Jr. (29-0, 11KO) is looking to accept WBO champion “The Takeover” Teofimo Lopez’s challenge of calling Top Rank CEO Bob Arum to make the fight.
The Takeover has come under heavy criticism for a lackluster performance against Jamaine Ortiz on February 8. In addition, several fans and fighters took to social media screaming robbery as he received a gift decision.
This sparked up conversations based on Lopez’s performance that he probably can’t beat any of the top guys in the division. An upset WBO champion took to social media with a message that seemed to be an open challenge for anyone who wants to fight him.
“If I’m so easy to beat, make the calls early next week. I will be having lunch with @BobArum to talk about my next fight. I told him I plan to fight in Honduras in April or June & defend my titles! #KingStaysKing”
Teofimo Lopez
STILL CHASING THE CHAMPION
Barboza wasted no time responding on social media, revealing that he had instructed an executive member of Golden Boy Promotions to make the call.
The WBO number one ranked contender has been chasing a fight with Lopez before leaving Top Rank for Golden Boy promotions. Furthermore, he blames The Takeover for playing the retirement card game, which messed up things for him financially.
It’s been suggested before that Barboza should give up trying to fight with Lopez, to which this author agrees. The reality is his promotional team will vigorously advise against him fighting in Honduras. In addition, Arum typically isn’t quick to give big fights to guys who have left him.
Barboza’s only hope is that the WBO finally orders the fight to which they don’t seem to be in a hurry to do.
