Has Teofimo Lopez Lit a Fuse Under Arnold Barboza?
In his almost manic attempt to remain visible, WBO junior welterweight champion Teofimo “The Takeover” Lopez (21-1, 13 KO’s) is up to his latest antics. At the latest presser for his May 2 duel with Arnold Barboza (32-0, 11 KO’s), Lopez continued to lean into his newly adopted role as boxing heel.
Clad in a cowboy hat, leather vest with no shirt, bandana tied on bicep and Kiss inspired eye-liner etched in place, The Takeover looked like muscle for the Village People. Throughout the event, Lopez was vocal and animated to say the least. He would hurl barbs, taunts and insults or threats to virtually every fighter on the panel, and walk around with a huge Demon Slayer themed mock sword. The hairiest moment was still to come.
When The Takeover came face-to-face with Barboza for photo purposes, his foe casually and boldly took off his cowboy hat and dropped it. Following three temperature-checking mini-pushes, Lopez popped Barboza in the mouth with a slap heard throughout the forum.
CRAZY LIKE A FOX?
During the moments directly following the incident, Lopez justified utilizing the move. With his logic being: once his hat had been molested, everything was fair game. Some will agree while others will wrinkle their brows in disapproval. No matter what side you fall on, it’s beyond evident that Lopez has fully committed to going all out for his assumed villain persona.
In terms of Barboza, it will be revealing to see if this recent indignity and public embarrassment will serve as fuel or foil. Provided it’s the former, then Lopez may have an issue. Barboza is undefeated, had a very active 2024, is boiling over with confidence and has chased this match for years. Armed with this final sleight, The Takeover just may have pried opened Pandora’s Box.
On the flipside however, the anger, the stage and the wear and tear absorbed to get to this moment could all very well play against Barboza. Regardless of his recent shaky outings, Lopez is sharp, powerful and rightfully housed among the elite in the division. Where in the pecking order, though, is an inquiry for another day. May 2 however, will go a long way in helping get it figured out.
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