Teofimo Lopez Backs Off Welterweights To Target Subriel Matias
As is his way, WBO junior welterweight champion Teofimo “The Takeover” Lopez (21-1, 13 KO’s) has shifted his fight plans once again. According to ESPN, Lopez is now closing in on a deal to dance with one-time IBF 140-pound champion Subriel “El Orgullo de Maternillo” Matias (21-2, 21 KO’s). When last in the media limelight, Lopez was calling for WBA 154-pound champ Terence Crawford and IBF super welterweight champion Jaron Ennis. Evidently, things have changed.
It will be interesting to see how the boxing public digests this news. Many will view it as a step down in competition. When he began this year, Matias was a very feared fighter that many had labeled the division’s boogeyman. Yet, his stock took quite a hit after Matias was soundly outboxed and defeated in his hometown by Liam Paro. Since then, Matias bounced back with a second-round knockout win over Roberto Ramirez.
THIN ICE?
Lopez is in need of a major win. Barring his June 20, 2023 win over Josh Taylor, The Takeover’s October 10, 2020 victory over Vasiliy Lomachenko was his last head-turning performance. As a result, his name value continues to dwindle by the day. To make matters worse, Lopez has repeatedly marred his public persona by airing out his racist ideology under the guise of seeking a fight. Unsurprisingly, the crass tactic didn’t get him very far.
At this exact point, it’s hard to tell what a win over Matias would mean. Matias has already suffered a damaging loss and is currently mending his own public brand. Therefore, even if The Takeover knocked him out, Matias would likely be labeled damaged goods. Likewise, if Lopez struggled or lost, this would yield catastrophic results for his career.
For the moment however, this is all still unofficial. Thus Lopez may ultimately go in another direction. If this duel does happen, its a dangerous fight that he will not likely to get a ton of credit for. So let’s just see how it all plays out in real time.
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