After what looked like being a rocky relationship it appears that Teofimo Lopez and Top Rank will be working together in the future.
The promotional power-house will watch on this weekend as their lightweight world champion defends his titles against IBF mandatory challenger George Kambosos Jr on the fledgling streaming platform Triller and not ESPN, the channel that Top Rank use to broadcast their shows.
Triller Fight Club won the rights to stage Lopez’ first defence after bidding just over six million dollars in the purse bids against Top Rank’s offer of $2.3 million dollars.
Top Rank CEO and Founder Bob Arum, who was furious with Matchroom’s attempt to host the bout with a $3.5 million dollar bid, looked to be heading towards stormy waters with his American star particularly when Lopez made comments such as, “Of course, they’re [ESPN] upset. They’re disappointed in Todd duBoef and Top Rank,” he told The Ak and Barak show.
All of which now seems water under the bridge according to The Athletic’s Mike Coppinger who said: “Teofimo Lopez and Top Rank have signed an amended deal that will raise his minimum purses and feature him on ESPN+ PPV. Teofimo looking for big-name opponent on October 2.”
ESPN themselves also confirmed the news themselves with their own story.