WBO super-lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez has been vocal in his call-outs of boxing’s biggest stars throughout 2024 but he is yet to find a willing opponent that could thrust his name into pound-for-pound contention once again. However, Terence Crawford now appears open to a showdown with ‘The Takeover’ – one that Lopez compared to a legendary encounter.
Teofimo Lopez has twice defeated pound-for-pound contenders in recent years, notably pulling off the upsets in his two title challenges to date against Vasyl Lomachenko and Josh Taylor to defeat the top dogs at both 135lbs and 140lbs.
Yet, a surprise defeat to George Kambosos Jr. back at lightweight and more recent underwhelming displays against Jamaine Ortiz and Steve Claggett have damaged Lopez’s claim to the pound-for-pound throne.
Instead, as a multi-divisional undisputed champion, it is Crawford whom many consider at the man to beat in the world of boxing and Lopez has once again called for a clash with ‘Bud’ on social media, this time receiving a promising response.
I can do that right is that’s what they want to see, you and yo Daddy.
— Terence Crawford (@terencecrawford) October 8, 2024
[Lopez]: “Enough games. We lacing up to fight? The people want to see you put me on a stretcher! #Boxing
“So what we doing?! Feb. 2025 @Turki_alalshikh”
[Crawford]: “I can do that right is that’s what they want to see, you and yo Daddy”.
Shortly afterwards, Lopez doubled down on his declaration that he would face WBA super-welterweight champion Crawford for free and went on to compare the possible affair to Sugar Ray Leonard’s legendary trilogy with Roberto Duran.
Absolutely! What I said remains. Like I told you before, in front of you! The whole world needs to watch me beat you. Not just word of mouth!
You A side so what we doing! I will fight you for FREE #Boxing
— Teofimo Lopez (@TeofimoLopez) October 8, 2024
First off, ain’t no diddy ova here. Secondly, you only want to fight in the streets because you don’t want no one to see me beat you!
Crawford Vs Lopez is the modern day era of @SugarRayLeonard VS @robertoduranbox
— Teofimo Lopez (@TeofimoLopez) October 8, 2024
[Crawford]: “@TeofimoLopez now you said you’ll fight me for free right? Them was your words not mine.”
[Lopez]: “Absolutely! What I said remains. Like I told you before, in front of you! The whole world needs to watch me beat you. Not just word of mouth!
“You [are the] A-side so what we doing! I will fight you for FREE #Boxing”
[Crawford]: What’s the location, you doing too much talking. I’m trying to see something. You daddy said you hit hard without the gloves, I’m trying to find out. You don’t deserve to share the ring with greatness. All you deserve is a good ol’ fashioned ass whooping. So I can teach him something yo diddy [daddy] didn’t.
[Lopez]: “First off, ain’t no diddy ova here. Secondly, you only want to fight in the streets because you don’t want no one to see me beat you!
“Crawford vs Lopez in the modern-day era of Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Roberto Duran.”
If Lopez is serious about a challenge for Crawford’s super-welterweight title, he will need to move up two weight divisions in order to enforce the scrap, although Crawford’s pursuit of a third undisputed title could stand in the way – as talks progress for a unification bout between he and the WBC and WBO champion, Sebastian Fundora.
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