Teofimo Lopez is currently in boxing purgatory having announced and rescinded his retirement.
His decision came immediately after arguably a career-best victory over former undisputed super-lightweight champion, Josh Taylor.
Lopez outclassed the Scotsman over 12, taking the WBO 140lbs title and getting his campaign back on track following a derailment one division down against George Kambosos Jr to lose the unified 135lbs straps.
Now a two-division world champion, Lopez is in high demand and certainly not short of challengers. One man who wants a shot is former Olympian, Richardson Hitchins.
Hitchins, who is a friend and training partner of Shakur Stevenson, took to Twitter to call out Lopez, annoyed that the champion had seemingly retired and was talking from the sidelines.
Teofimo doing all that punk ass shit talking about he retiring Come fight me I’ll straight smoke You take ya strap and send you on retirement for good Clown Facts Let’s make it happen!
— Richardson Hitchins (@HeIsRichardson) July 18, 2023
His announcement was motivated by a potential fight with Devin Haney, the sanctioning body’s champion at lightweight, who was also included in its ultimatum.
It looks like Haney is nearing a deal with the WBC’s super-lightweight champion, Regis Prograis, and it’s unclear what Lopez will decide to do should that come off.
Hitchins is currently ranked sixth with the WBO, so would likely need to add to his 16-0 tally with a few more top names before guaranteeing himself a shot at the champ.
So far in his six-year career he’s yet to be scheduled for 12 rounds. He was last out in February – a unanimous decision win over previously undefeated John Bauza.
He’s currently under the banner of Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom after a stint with Mayweather Promotions earlier in his career.
Lopez marked his last fight under Top Rank with the Taylor victory, and it’s not clear where he’ll go next, should he indeed decide to fight on and not retire at just 25-years-old.
