Teofimo Lopez Unapologetic For Gesture To Defeated Magdaleno

[Ruthless-RKO]

Teofimo Lopez isn’t bothered by the criticism he has taken for what was perceived by some as a disrespectful celebration following his knockout of Diego Magdaleno on Saturday night.

Retired two-division champion Andre Ward and fellow ESPN analyst Mark Kriegel voiced their disapproval of Lopez walking over to a fallen Magdaleno and using a sweeping motion to signify that he had gotten rid of his opponent.

The 21-year-old Lopez took to Twitter on Monday to explain himself, but he doesn’t feel an apology is necessary.

Lopez, a Las Vegas resident originally from Brooklyn, stated in the Tweet that he made that sweeping gesture after their fight because Magdaleno had disrespected his family’s Honduran heritage and was talking trash during what amounted to a one-sided fight.

Lopez quickly deleted the Tweet.

He did issue a subsequent statement to BS.com through his promoter, Top Rank Inc., regarding his concern for Magdaleno’s health. The fast-rising contender expressed surprise that Magdaleno’s handlers hadn’t stopped the bout before what Ward considered an utterly unnecessary seventh round.

“After the fifth and sixth rounds, I could hear his corner motivating him,” Lopez said, “and I realized they weren’t going to stop the fight. I didn’t want the fight to go that way, but there was nothing else I could do. I knew I’d have to knock him out for the fight to be over.”

Even as the man administering the punishment, Lopez grew worried about Magdaleno as their fight continued.
“I was thinking about the man’s health while I was fighting,” Lopez said.

https://t.co/muTPLUcbaN?amp=1

[SenorPipino]

Lopez' "comments" (or whoever wrote the script for him) are strictly Top Rank damage control

Trying to make Lopez look empathetic, when he probably couldn't give a damn.

[gilgamesh]

I didn't think he did anything all that disrespectful really. I've seen more disrespectful things I'll just say that. I know Magdaleno's corner was pissed about it.

[oogiebe]

I didn't think he did anything all that disrespectful really. I've seen more disrespectful things I'll just say that. I know Magdaleno's corner was pissed about it.

This is overblown. He's a kid who had just won a convincing victory. What is he 21?

[Cent0089]

I think when Teofimo get a lott, his oponent will do something similar to him

[Thomastearns]

Idiotic behaviour by Lopez, he'd do well to remember what goes around comes around.

I just don't understand why the referee or Magdaleno's corner didn't stop it earlier.
Diego Magdaleno was far too brave for his own good and was badly let down on the night. I thought Brook was stopped too late against GGG, but this was even worse.

It's not even as if they were both equally tired and hurt, one was defenceless and the other about to do a back flip.

[Best Coast]

Lopez' "comments" (or whoever wrote the script for him) are strictly Top Rank damage control

Trying to make Lopez look empathetic, when he probably couldn't give a damn.

He clearly couldnt care less about Magdaleno!! You are right that it sounds more like a Bob Arum press release!!

Lopez said something in the post-fight interview about how his taunting would help bring viewers to his future fights, even if they were rooting against him. If this clown doesnt quit playing the thug I'll be one of those.

[TheLeprechaun]

On the flip size this performance was very very impressive by Lopez. I would like to see him vs Loma

[jamamb]

On the flip size this performance was very very impressive by Lopez. I would like to see him vs Loma

does he beat loma?

[TheLeprechaun]

On the flip size this performance was very very impressive by Lopez. I would like to see him vs Loma

does he beat loma?

It depends how he reacts to a high workrate and the angles of Loma. Lopez is looking like a power puncher and pretty damn slick overall. I think he's just as good of an athlete, natural at the weight. This guy is a real handful for Loma and I'm not sure Loma beats him at all.

[SenorPipino]

Please.

Lopez is a 12 fight prospect. Undoubtedly a FUTURE world champion, but now there are those wondering if he beats Lomachenko right now.

Arum must Iove it when fans go overboard about his fighters.

Lomachenko, whether or not he's really P4P #1, would spank Lopez.

Let the kid season.

[goose 5]

Lopez does need to be allowed to season but will he get the chance ? He might easily turn out to be another Panchito Bojado.

[Best Coast]

On the flip size this performance was very very impressive by Lopez. I would like to see him vs Loma

does he beat loma?

It depends how he reacts to a high workrate and the angles of Loma. Lopez is looking like a power puncher and pretty damn slick overall. I think he's just as good of an athlete, natural at the weight. This guy is a real handful for Loma and I'm not sure Loma beats him at all.

I would love to see Lopez fight Loma right now!!

It would give him the kind of humbling he needs to drag him down from the arrogant cloud 9 he now inhabits!!

[jamamb]

i guess terry flanagan did destroy mag in 2 already, but tbf lopez looks very very good , no need to rush but big potential

[TheLeprechaun]

Please.

Lopez is a 12 fight prospect. Undoubtedly a FUTURE world champion, but now there are those wondering if he beats Lomachenko right now.

Arum must Iove it when fans go overboard about his fighters.

Lomachenko, whether or not he's really P4P #1, would spank Lopez.

Let the kid season.

Lopez looks like the real deal. I'd certainly take him to mop up crolla. I'd like to see him in with Pedraza. I would push him into a fight like that because he is young and could outgrow 135 within a year or so.

[jas80s]

Young fighters who look sensational early always remind me of young hitters who can crush a fastball...we have NO idea how he would deal with a top fighter, it's a lot harder to score a sensational knockout when you are getting hit in the face repeatedly and then having to turn and find the guy who just hit you. I'm not saying he isn't an explosive prospect, but there is simply no way to know how he'll deal with a major league curve (just to complete my baseball analogy here), until we see him face one. Some guys look sensational early and carry it right on to the top level (granted their results level off a bit) while other guys look similarly sensational and then get exposed against the top guys. We can all name examples of both. types. Early on, it's not always easy to see the difference.

[Evander]

Some of his celebrations were fine.
When he swept him didn't look good.