Fresh off becoming a two weight world champion, Teofimo Lopez has taken yet another pop at Devin Haney, the man who could very well end up being one of his next opponents.
There is speculation that undisputed lightweight king Haney may decide to move up in weight to super lightweight, where Lopez now holds the WBO strap following his excellent win over Josh Taylor earler this month.
‘The Takeover’ has not been shy in criticising Haney, whom he also ranked as the easiest possible fight when compared to countryman Shakur Stevenson and Gervonta Davis.
Haney’s recent fight with Vasily Lomachenko drew criticism from some who believed the result – a Haney UD – went the wrong way. Following the fight, a corner cam clip circulated on social media of Haney telling his coach and father that the Ukrainian had worked out his game-plan.
In gym footage obtained by ESNews, Lopez mocked Haney’s corner concerns, saying it makes him “not a true champion.”
“You’re not a true champion, you can’t claim that. You’ve got to learn how to adapt to s*** like that, because nobody is going to save your a**.”
The WBO give undisputed champions who move up in weight mandatory status for their belts, meaning a mouthwatering clash between Lopez and Haney in the next six to twelve months is a real possibility.
Haney has also been linked to a fight with the WBC super lightweight champion Regis Prograis, as well as both a rematch with Lomachenko and a fight against two weight world champion Shakur Stevenson, should he decide to remain at 135lbs.
Lopez insists he is currently retired, though has not vacated his title and admits a big money offer could potentially tempt him back into the ring.