Teofimo Lopez is training with Team Canelo, staying Sharp for a potential unification fight against IBF light welterweight champion Richardson Hitchins. That fight might not end well for ‘The Takeover’ Lopez if he goes through with it.
Hitchins is like a combination of Shakur Stevenson, Floyd Mayweather Jr., and Subriel Matias. He can do it all, and he’s so hard to hit. I don’t see this ending well for Teofimo.
Time Machine Needed
Lopez says he feels “Rejuvenated,” but he’s going to need a time machine for that to happen. He hasn’t looked good in so many years that taking him for face value is impossible. He’s an old 27-year-old, and it’s hard to believe he’s not in his last 30s, given how bad he’s looked since 2021.
Teo is still a good talker and can get fans excited about his fights in 2025, but as far as winning any of them, it’s not happening unless he’s matched against weak opposition. He’s become that kind of a fighter—an Adrien Broner type who can still talk but can’t fight a lick.
Canelo’s trainer, Eddy Reynoso, will need to be a magician to rejuvenate Teofimo and bring him back to what he was years ago.
If Teo goes 0-2 in his fights in 2025, Turki Al-Sheikh may have a case of buyer’s remorse for signing him to a three-fight contract. If you looked at Teofimo’s fights since 2021, you can’t expect much from him other than losses and poor performances. Hardcore boxing fans are well aware that Teo is on the downside of his career, and he’s not coming back to be the fighter he once was.
Claggett Disaster
Teo looked like he’d been jumped after his last fight against journeyman Steve Claggett last July, and was all beat up in a hellishly bad performance.
You could give Lopez a break for looking terrible against Jamaine Ortiz, Sandor Martin, George Kambosos, and Pedro Campa because they’re decent fighters. But there’s no excuse for Teo struggling against Claggett and having both eyes almost closed due to the swelling.
Lopez’s Three-fight Plan
- Richardson Hitchins
- Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis
- The finale in February 2026
If Teofimo loses to Boots in October, his fight in February will be against the Ryan Garcia vs. Devin Haney 2 loser.
Loser’s Bracket Beckons
It’s probable that Lopez will wind up in the loser’s bracket, ready for skidrow fighting Haney. That’s a winnable fight for Teofimo, but only because Haney can’t take a punch.
WBO 140-lb champion Tefoimo (21-1, 13 KOs) is hoping to get off to a good start for 2025 by fighting unbeaten Hitchins (19-0, 7 KOs), and then IBF 147-lb champion Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis in Oc
WBO 140-lb champion Teo is a good basic champion, but he’s not the fighter he once was five years ago. He may not have ever been a great talent to begin with, but he’s gone downhill since 2020.
Three Fights, Three Losses?
“We just execute and take over. It’s a great year for me. I feel rejuvenated. These are exciting fights that we’re looking forward to making and taking over,” said Teofimo Lopez to Fight Hub TV about his plans to fight a unification match against Richardson Hitchins, then Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis in October.
“I’m not fight until early summertime. I want to play business this year. I want to make the right deals. Richardson Hitchins, Jaron Ennis and then the finale. I’m fighting a champion, and then the big fight.
“He just needs to let go of his pride and ego. Just play business,” said Teofimo when asked if we’ll see him and Gervonta Davis fighting. If you really want to fight us, that’s how we make it happen.”
A duo we should see more of 🥊🔥 pic.twitter.com/BHJV1JdAaF
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) January 19, 2025
Read the full article here
