He won and won the championship at an impressive level, but the professional boxing did not always go swimmingly in Teofimo Lopez. The lighthearted fighter was one of the sport’s most talented fighters, but he was plagued by demons that always left more questions than answers.
He suffered his first and only loss to George Kambosos last year, due to a controversial medical condition pneumomediastinumwhich can be fatal. He had to be pulled out of the fight and treated by a doctor. But he did not want to deceive the fans and continued with the battle.
He made his return in steps end of marriage. After stopping Pedro Campa in the fifth round in August, he told Yahoo Sports there was plenty of catching going on in the pitching.
“I’m not going to lie, I had a lot on my mind.” Lopez told Yahoo Sports after winning Campa. “I almost died in the last fight and it was weighing on my mind. I just had to clean it. I’m not afraid to die, but what I don’t want to do is not have a father for my son. The only thing that weighed on his mind was me [felt I] which the guy had about in some way. “
On Saturday, he will fight Sandor Martin, the Spanish man best known for knocking out former world champion Mikey Garcia at Madison Square Garden in New York. Lopez and Lopez has a different vibe around him, which he has not felt since before he probably won the title in 2020, beating Vasiliy Lomachenko.
“After the COVID hit, it went down a lot in the career,” Lopez told Yahoo Sports. “Now we’re getting the ball rolling again. I’m so happy. I’m happy with Top Rank. I’m happy with ESPN. Everyone plays, everyone plays sports. That’s about it. I want to make these fights happen for the fans and the boxing community around the world. I feel great the outcome of this is better than I have to be a little honest with you.”
There was always a lot of excitement surrounding him, especially in his relationship with his father, who also teaches him. However, he won until they all had to fight long before the Kambos. He is so talented, and so punchy that even when he is not at his peak, he is better than most.
A serious health condition, difficulty making weight, turmoil in his corner and a disintegrating marriage finally brought Lopez to his knees.
He looked much happier and more optimistic during Saturday’s fight, and supporter Bob Arum, who celebrated his 190th birthday on Thursday, said he wished he had seen the man he refers to as “The Takeover” this week.
“I’m not a psychiatrist, but from what I’ve seen of him, before the press conference and in it, he seems to me to be a guy who has his own thing together,” Arum told Yahoo Sports. “I watched him in a press conference and I have to tell you, I’ve never seen him articulate and collected. What does he mean? Who the hell knows? But I think it’s a good sign. . It seems like he’s done what he needs to do to be ready and wants to do it. But we’ll see.”
Ever since he stepped up following the Olympics in 2016, Lopez has always said he wants to fight in his prime at his weight class. In 2018, he did an interview with Yahoo Sports in which he said that he believes that within five years he has beaten Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia and Gervonta Davis and is the most skilled fighter from the Olympic class.
He didn’t win the title lightly, though he’s still going to fight Haney, Garcia or Davis for reasons that have nothing to do with him. But he still wants those fights, like a rematch with new WBC super lightweight champion King Progray, former undisputed super lightweight champion Josh Taylor and former undisputed champion Jose Ramirez.
“I’m ready for Takeover, Part 2,” Lopez said. “This time, it’s a new move and beating every guy they put in front of us.” Devin Haney is a 135 guy and he’s big, kudos to him. I was a 135 guy, now it’s all about the bike up. at 140 and about guys who have titles and guys people say are the best. The King’s Program just won that title and it was a great job from him and a great competition. About these big pushers.”
Lopez said if he wins on Saturday, he has big plans for 2023.
“God willing to win me” [on Saturday]. I don’t want to say which one I want before next April, because I want them all to be tuned [to watch the Martin fight]”Lopez said. “If I say who I want to fight in April, it will blow and it won’t be about my fight against Martin. But I am football, and after I win, the world will all know who is next together.”