Teofimo Lopez has continued to stun and disgust boxing fans with comments on inflicting death in the ring.
The sport’s relationship with serious harm is too close for comfort, and despite advances in ringside healthcare and pre-fight checks, the worst can happen and often does.
Fighters are respected and paid because they know this, however it’s rare that one crosses the line into wishing it upon an opponent.
In an interview with Punsh Drunk Boxing, the former unified lightweight champion spoke on his upcoming fight with Josh Taylor – his third in the 140lbs division and a shot at the Scotsman’s WBO World title.
As with so many Lopez interviews in recent times, he went wildly too far.
“No one was sorry for me. When I was dying in the ICU after my fight, no one said ‘Teofimo, wish you well, hope you’re good.'”
“This is a kill or be killed sport. Someone just passed away May 6th, 22 years old. And I said it like it is – I wanna kill Josh Taylor. What the f**k does that mean? People are like well let’s get back to boxing, I’m like that is boxing.
That is what we sign up for. You’re gonna probably lose your life, and what does that mean? If I’m gonna die in that ring at least I’ll die with some dignity and integrity, I went out like a warrior.”
Rather than reflect and adjust what he was saying, the Brooklyn native doubled down on his threats.
“When I fought Loma, I took his heart. Especially in that twelfth round … With Taylor, he got no heart. So what can I really take from this man? His life.
And the only the way I’m gonna make a statement is by doing that. I’m not sorry about that. How do I scare people more than that? How do I put fear in everybody else’s eyes? … Take a man’s life.”
Lopez continued down the same path, switching between attempting to justify his words but then speaking wilder.
Fans, analysts and fellow fighters will likely condemn the 25-year-olds statements, well aware that they’re involved in a dangerous combat sport but also that it’s one that can be built on respect.
At a time where the boxing world unites in its well wishes to South African fighter Ludomo Lamati following his collapse in the ring after a recent fight in Belfast, these comments from Lopez are reprehensible and simply sad.