Teofimo Lopez Stands By Controversial Comments About ESPN and Top Rank
Former unified lightweight champion Teofimo “The Takeover” Lopez (18-1, 13 KOs) caused quite a stir in the boxing community with his recent comments about Top Rank and ESPN. If you think he’s going to have an about-face and apologize, fat chance.
HIS SIDE OF THE STORY
Lopez feels undervalued by Top Rank. As a result, he claimed that his upcoming June 10 fight against reigning WBO champion Josh Taylor (19-0, 13 KOs) is his last with the promotional company. During an interview with MillCity Boxing, the 25-year-old gave evidence of his worth. He also explained why he’s at odds with Top Rank.
“Look at this. Teofimo was signed to Bud Light before anybody, right? Then what happened? Bud Light signed with Top Rank. I wonder how, and I wonder why, and through who?
So, who’s really dictating this? Now we got Nestle in the mix in boxing. I wonder who did that, how? I’m helping all of y’all get money, everyone, and for you to slaughter me and throw me out in that form, in that way, I don’t need to be there no more. I don’t know if this will be my last fight.”
Among the many things that caused such a huge uproar was his comments that Top Rank can keep their black fighters. Many in the boxing community view it as racially charged. Lopez said the following as a response to the backlash:
“I stand for the black people too, bro. I don’t know what’s going on in this world, and how they’re doing it . . . There has to be another message out there, and I think that I’m gonna be able to spread that after my fight against Josh Taylor.”
CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Instead of having any kind of mea culpa, Lopez almost seems to be doubling down. He continues to throw darts at his current promoter. Lopez is one of the most talked about fighters in the sport, but here’s what he could be missing. Top Rank is like any other promotional outlet. More than anything else, they are about the bottom line. It’s not necessarily about black, white, or any color except green, as in dollars.
When Lopez said ESPN and Top Rank could keep their black fighters, it was more of an indictment on himself than anyone else. Why would he group black fighters within that company in that manner? It smacks of someone who thinks his accomplishments are better and deserve more attention than black fighters within the Top Rank stable.
When The Takeover defeated Vasyl Lomachenko in October 2020 to become the unified champion, he was on top of the world. But here’s the reality: that win may have done more harm than good to his ego. Lopez spent the bulk of 2021 arguing over finances with Top Rank. In November of that year, he lost the title by split decision. Lopez has not been the same since that defeat.
His performances in the ring have been spotty and inconsistent. Lopez was so distraught by his performance following a disputed win against Sandor Martin in December 2022 that he was caught on camera questioning his ability. It all suggests that he’s a fighter who has lost his confidence. Now he has the boxing world in an uproar because of his mouth. The Takeover is a fighter and a man seemingly unsure of himself and struggling to find his way.
