Teofimo Lopez is training with Team Canelo, staying sharp for a potential unification fight against IBF light welterweight champion Richardson Hitchens. This fight may not end well for “The Takeover” Lopez if he continues with it.
Hitchens looks like a combination of Shakur Stevenson, Floyd Mayweather Jr., and Subriel Mathias. He can do it all, and he's very hard to hit. I don't see this ending well for Teofimo.
Necessary time machine
Lopez says he feels “rejuvenate” But he would need a time machine for that to happen. It hasn't looked this good in so many years that taking it at face value is impossible. He's a 27-year-old, and it's hard to believe he's not in his late 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 in terms of winning any of them, that only happens if he faces a weak opponent. He's become the kind of fighter, like Adrien Broner who can still talk but can't resist a lick.
Canelo's coach, Eddy Reynoso, will need to be a magician to rejuvenate Teofimo and get him back to where he was years ago.
If Teo goes 0-2 In his fights in 2025, Turki Al-Sheikh may face a case of buyer’s remorse for signing a three-fight contract. If you look at Teofimo's fights since 2021, you wouldn't expect much from him other than losses and poor performances. Hardcore boxing fans are well aware that Teo has a downside to his career, and will never return to being the fighter he once was.
Clagett disaster
Teo looked like he had been jumped after his last fight against Steve Claggett last July, and he was beaten in a very poor performance.
You can give Lopez a break because he looked bad against Jamaine Ortiz, Sandor Martin, Jorge Kambosos and Pedro Campa because they are respectable fighters. But there's no excuse for Teo struggling against Claggett and almost closing his eyes due to the swelling.
Lopez's three-fight plan
- Richardson Hitchens
- Jaron “Boots” Ennis
- Final in February 2026
If Teofimo loses to Potts in October, his February fight will be against loser Ryan Garcia vs. Devin Haney 2.
Loser's bow beckons
Lopez will likely end up among the losers, ready to fight Haney. This is a winnable fight for Teofimo, but only because Haney can't take the punch.
WBO 140lb champion Tifuimo (21-1, 13 KOs) hopes to get 2025 off to a good start by fighting unbeaten Hitchins (19-0, 7 KOs), then IBF 147lb champion Jaron 'Boots' Ennis in October
WBO 140-pound champion Teo is a good mainstay champion, but he's not the fighter he once was five years ago. He may not have been a great talent at all to begin with, but he's been on a downward spiral since 2020.
Three fights and three losses?
“We're just executing and taking charge. It's a great year for me. I feel rejuvenated. These are exciting fights we're looking forward to taking and seizing,” Teofimo Lopez said. Combat Center TV He shifted his plans to have a unification match against Richardson Hitchins, then Jaron “Boots” Ennis in October.
“I'm not fighting until early summer. I want to play business this year. I want to make the right deals. Richardson Hitchens, Jaron Ennis and then the end. I'm fighting a champion, then the big fight.”
“He just needs to let go of his pride and ego. Just play business,” Teofimo said when asked if we would see him fight Gervonta Davis. “If you really want to fight us, this is how we do it.”
A duo we should see more of 🥊🔥 pic.twitter.com/BHJV1JdAaF
– DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) January 19, 2025
