Teofimo Lopez has reversed his decision to retire at 25-years-old.
Lopez recently won a world title in a second weight class with an extremely impressive performance against formerly undisputed Josh Taylor.
He promptly announced that he would be hanging up the gloves due to frustrations with the sport and how much he was being paid.
The WBO – of which he is now super-lightweight champion – forced his hand to make good on this claim, giving him just 24 hours before the belt was made vacant.
In the same order, the sanctioning body gave Devin Haney – currently undisputed lightweight champion – a ultimatum to decide whether or not he wanted to move up in weight to fight for the belt immediately.
Lopez took to social media to confirm that he was still an active fighter, and immediately called out Haney for the fight.
“Yo Devin Haney, since you were so quick to jump in the mix for my WBO Championship belt! Let’s make the fight happen so the world can see who is about that action. And no, you will not be on the A-side. I hold the King title of the division as well! So don’t run away!! B***h.
Came out of retirement (I guess) because the next move was for Devin Haney to fight sorry ass Arnold Barboza for my WBO championship title at 140lbs. F’ that. I’m tired of helping this kid be something that he is not. And that’s a real champion!”
Haney accepted the call out, and accused Lopez of never really retiring in the first place. He then claimed that Lopez asked for $20 million to make the fight. Lopez denied this.
Since it appears both have informed the WBO that they are interested in the fight, it’s a real possibility.
Haney has options though, with Shakur Stevenson nipping at his heels for a lightweight undisputed shot, Vasily Lomachenko looking for a rematch, or an offer to move up and face another 140lbs champion in Regis Prograis.
It seems anything can happen next in this exciting and stacked section of boxing, but the headline is that Teofimo Lopez will fight on.