Lopez Slams Bob Arum For Trying To Wreck His Career

Teofimo Lopez has hit out at Top Rank for trying to destroy his boxing career.
The Takeover is the current WBO Junior Welterweight Champion. He has amassed titles in two weight classes, becoming a two-time lineal champion, making him one of the most accomplished boxers in the sport. This has been done under the guidance of Top Rank. However, Lopez is looking to exit the promotional company following his victory over Steve Claggett in his last fight. He has been targeting several high-profile names, including Ryan Garcia, Jaron Ennis and Terence Crawford. None of those fights look close to getting made.
The current fight that was put on the table for him was against Subriel Matias. Matias is the former IBF Junior Welterweight Champion. But he lost his title against Liam Paro, ending his perception as the bogeyman of the division. Lopez was offered this fight, with Top Rank saying that it was the most Lopez would earn in his career. But it would have been put on PPV.
Lopez Reacts
Teo could not understand that rationale, given that Bob Arum had publicly said it was not capable of doing well on PPV. Lopez also asked for his buyout clause figure, suggesting that he wanted to leave Top Rank. This was after he made a counteroffer for the Matias fight, which was rejected. The narrative is that Lopez wants a guarantee since the Matias fight would not succeed on PPV. That does not look like it will happen, as he lashed out at Top Rank.
“If they wanted to promote it in the West Coast, if he’s Puerto Rican, shouldn’t he be in the East Coast in New York? Secondly, it was on pay-per-view. I’m not fine with pay-per-view if it’s not with the right dance partner. Listen, if Subriel Matías was really worthy of that type of competition then Matchroom, Eddie Hearn would’ve still kept him. They didn’t even believe it would pass that 100,000 threshold. So, why are we doing it on pay-per-view? That’s from Bob Arum himself, the chairman. If you go on BoxingScene he said it’s not pay-per-view worthy. So, why are we still making the fight pay-per-view? They’re trying to [mess] my life up. Literally, my career,” Lopez said
What’s Next?
This raises question marks over where he could go next. Teofimo could work closely with the Saudis. He has added Canelo Alvarez’s trainer, Eddie Reynoso, to his camp. Alvarez is a free agent, allowing him to secure exclusive deals with various promoters. Lopez could follow the same blueprint. However, Teofimo does not have the commercial value to do that.
However, a part of that is because he is tied to a big promotional contract. Should he become a free agent, he would be able to rebrand himself and work with the Saudis, who are looking to make the biggest fights. Lopez is no doubt one of the most talented fighters in the sport. But his evaluation of his commercial value has sometimes hindered him. But becoming a free agent could change everything.
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