Teofimo Lopez is training with Team Canelo, staying sharp for a possible unification bout against IBF light welterweight champion Richardson Hitchins. This fight might not end well for ‘The Takeover’ Lopez if he makes it.
Hitchins is like a combination of Shakur Stevenson, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Subriel Matias. He can do it all, and he’s so hard to beat. I don’t see Teofimo ending well.
The time machine is needed
Lopez says he feels it “Refreshed,” but it will take a time machine to make that happen. He hasn’t looked good in so many years that it’s impossible to take him at face value. He’s an old 27-year-old, and it’s hard to believe he’s not in his late 30s given how bad he’s been since 2021.
Teo is still a good talker and can excite his fans with his fights in 2025, but in terms of winning any of them, it doesn’t happen unless he meets weak opposition. He’s become that kind of fighter – an Adrien Broner guy who can still talk but can’t wrestle a lick.
Canelo’s trainer, Eddy Reynoso, will need to be a magician to revive Teofimo and bring him back to what he was years ago.
If Theo goes 0-2 his fights in 2025, Turki Al-Sheikh may have a case of buyer’s remorse for signing him to a three-fight contract. If you look at Teofimo’s matches from 2021, you can’t expect much from him other than losses and poor performances. Die-hard boxing fans are well aware that Teo is in the downs of his career and is not coming back to be the fighter he once was.
Clagett disaster
Theo looked like he had bounced back after his last fight against journeyman Steve Claggett last July, and was beaten in one hell of a performance.
You could give Lopez a break because he looks terrible against Jamaine Ortiz, Sandor Martin, George Kambosos and Pedro Campa because they are decent fighters. But there is no excuse for Teo racing against Claggett and having both eyes almost closed due to swelling.
Lopez’s three-fight plan
- Richardson Hitchins
- Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis
- The finale in February 2026
If Teofimo loses to Boots in October, his fight in February will be against the Ryan Garcia vs. Devin Haney 2 loser.
Loser’s Bracket Beckons
It’s likely that Lopez will end up in the loser’s bracket, ready for skidrow fighting with Haney. This is a winnable fight for Teofimo, but only because Haney can’t land a punch.
WBO 140-lb champion Tefoimo (21-1, 13 KOs) hopes to get 2025 off to a flying start by fighting unbeaten Hitchins (19-0, 7 KOs) and then IBF 147-lb champion Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis in Oc
WBO 140-lb champion Teo is a good mainstream champion, but he is not the fighter he once was five years ago. He may never have been a great talent to begin with, but he has gone downhill since 2020.
Three games, three losses?
“We just execute and take over. It’s a great year for me. I feel refreshed. These are exciting races that we look forward to doing and taking on,” Teofimo Lopez told the Fight Hub TV on his plans to fight a unification bout against Richardson Hitchins, then Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis in October.
“I don’t fight until early summer. I want to play professionally this year. I want to make the right deals. Richardson Hitchins, Jaron Ennis and then the finale. I fight a champion and after the big fight.
“He just has to let go of his pride and ego. Just play work,” Teofimo said when asked if we’ll see him and Gervoda Davis fight. If you really want to fight us, this is how we make it happen.”
A duo we need to see more of 🥊🔥 pic.twitter.com/BHJV1JdAaF
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) January 19, 2025
2025-01-19 07:09:00
