Though he has a tendency to blow hot and cold at times, Teofimo Lopez arguably holds the two best wins of any active boxer in his victories over Vasiliy Lomachenko and Josh Taylor.
Far from content with his resume, Lopez wants to add to it in perhaps the biggest way possible – by taking on pound-for-pound king Terence Crawford.
Though ‘The Takeover’ currently campaigns at super lightweight, where he holds the WBO world title, he has stated he would be more than willing to move up in weight to 147lbs for a pop at undisputed champion Crawford.
(Credit Frank Franklin, AP)
In a recent interview with Fight Hub TV, Lopez sent an impassioned message to Crawford to fight him next, in what would be one of the biggest commercial fights of the year.
“Hey Crawford, bro, I know you called me a fake ninja, but it’s cool – no problem. I brush that s*** off like I do with everything else they’ve done with everything else in my career.
“I know you’re a great fighter. I’m a great fighter. You like tough competition and so do I. I may not be black, but I got it in me! Whenever you done with that contract, stay at 147 and we can make more money than you did with Spence.”
“I’m just a fighter who likes to fight. I like challenges, and I know the guy who’ll give me the best challenge is Crawford.”
Crawford had been expected to rematch Errol Spence Jr, however this now looks to be dead in the water following a social media post from ‘Bud’ where he stated he was “glad it was over and done with” and wished Spence well for the future.
I done heard it all now @ErrolSpenceJr it’s ok tho because all in all I’m glad it’s over and done with. I wish you well ma brotha.
— Terence Crawford (@terencecrawford) January 12, 2024
In what was billed as a legacy-defining fight for both men, Crawford dominated Spence from start to finish back in July, producing a generational performance that was punctuated with a ninth round stoppage.
The Omaha favourite has since been linked to a host of money-spinning bouts, including even a potential move up to super middleweight to take on Mexican superstar Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.
Whoever is in the opposite corner, boxing fans will just be hoping to see the best fighter in the sport back in action sooner rather than later.
