Teofimo Lopez vs. Arnold Barboza Jr. - Spring 2022?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Sources: Top Rank considering Teofimo Lopez-Arnold Barboza Jr. junior welterweight bout for spring

Teofimo Lopez is preparing to mount a comeback.

Top Rank is exploring the possibility of a 140-pound bout between Lopez and Arnold Barboza Jr. in the spring, sources told ESPN.

Lopez, who defeated Vasiliy Lomachenko in 2020 to win the undisputed 135-pound championship, was upset by George Kambosos Jr. in November. The 24-year-old will now campaign at 140 pounds, no matter whom he fights following his first pro defeat.

"We ready for anybody at 140 pounds; he doesn't have to struggle at that weight, he'll be perfect, he won't be getting sick from his lungs anymore," Lopez's father and trainer, Teofimo Lopez Sr., told ESPN. "I think that would be a great fight; I think Top Rank is looking for that fight with Barboza.

"We'll fight anybody, it doesn't matter who it is. And then eventually fight [undisputed 140-pound champion] Josh Taylor and get our belts back."

Lopez (16-1, 12 KOs) was diagnosed with "extensive air in the retropharyngeal space" by doctors during a hospital visit immediately after the loss to Kambosos, ESPN's Mark Kriegel reported.

In ESPN's upset of the year, Lopez was dropped in Round 1 before he floored Kambosos in Round 10 of a decision defeat. A victory over Barboza, ESPN's No. 9 junior welterweight, would thrust Lopez into the title picture in a new weight class.

"When he started saying he was going to come to 140 and take over and jump right into title shots, it was a slap in the face to everybody at 140," Barboza told ESPN. "You're at 135, it's different.

"His dad mentioned my name as a tune-up fight. That pissed me off. ... I'm trying to get this fight so bad. I don't care what it takes: I'll fight in his living room and his dad can be the referee and his mom the judge."

Barboza (26-0, 10 KOs) scored decision victories over Alex Saucedo and Antonio Moran in his past two fights, but he has never competed at the top level. The 30-year-old fighter, who was born in Long Beach, California, knows a win over Lopez would change the trajectory of his career.

"He beats me, he gets back at title contention at 140; I beat him, my name gets out there more," Barboza said. "He is a big name -- he's the type of guy I want to beat and make a statement against. It will be good on my resume.

"After the fight with me, if he does actually take it, I don't think he will be the same. I think he'll retire after that. Him and his dad, they gotta be careful. We'll see if they are who they say they are. They talk the talk and now we gotta see if they can walk it."

[Mexi-Box]

Hell of a fight! Barboza is a very solid fighter, but he's nothing special. No power but high workrate. It's not a slam dunk fight for Lopez. We've seen he struggles with guys his own size/bigger, and Barboza is probably a division bigger than him at the moment. Very, very interesting and tough fight for Lopez. If Lopez bombs him out, I would be extremely impressed.

[margaret thatcher]

that would be a real solid 140 campaign kickoff for teo

[Ruthless-RKO]

that would be a real solid 140 campaign kickoff for teo

Good scrap for him indeed.

[Fightnight Scores]

They throwing Barboza out to the wolves or hoping he can pull something out of the bag and launch him?

[NateJR]

How satisfying would it be to see Lopez lose 2 straight fights! The thing is, if it wasn't for his dad I probably wouldn't mind Lopez that much.

[ironbeard]

How satisfying would it be to see Lopez lose 2 straight fights! The thing is, if it wasn't for his dad I probably wouldn't mind Lopez that much.

Teo should fire his dad and form a top notch pro team.

[Mexi-Box]

They throwing Barboza out to the wolves or hoping he can pull something out of the bag and launch him?

Both, really. Barboza is extremely boring. No power, personality, and really unimaginative fighter. 100%, I think they were hoping that Saucedo would've beaten him.

[tonyevs]

Too much success early on can ruin a fighter.
I`ve little doubt he will have mixed fortunes for the next few years before the inevitable split from his dad - and then the realisation he left it too late.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Barboza on Teofimo Lopez: I'm Willing To Do Whatever It Takes To Get Fight Done!

Last week, an article ran on ESPN.com in which former unified lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez’s father was quoted saying, "We ready for anybody at 140 pounds; he doesn't have to struggle at that weight, he'll be perfect, he won't be getting sick from his lungs anymore."

Lopez's father and trainer, Teofimo Lopez Sr., added - "I think that would be a great fight; I think Top Rank is looking for that fight with Barboza. We'll fight anybody, it doesn't matter who it is. And then eventually fight [undisputed 140-pound champion] Josh Taylor and get our belts back."

Over the past year, several articles have been published on BS.com in which Barboza has called out Lopez and said that he would like to welcome him to the junior welterweight division.

His manager Rick Mirigian has confirmed on social media that he is working on the fight and hopes to make it happen. Barboza also said that is the case.

“No serious negotiations or talks yet. So far it’s just been words and dialogue but that’s the fight we are trying to get,” Barboza told Boxing Scene.

Barboza was last in action in August when he defeated Antonio Moran via unanimous decision in Oklahoma.

The unbeaten 30-year-old fighter reiterated that he wants Lopez to be his next opponent and will keep pushing until he gets the fight secured.

“My team and I are willing to do whatever it takes to get this fight done. I don’t care where or when. I don’t think I ever wanted to fight someone so bad!” Said Barboza.

Lopez was last in the ring in November when mandatory challenger George Kambosos Jr. defeated him via split decision in New York, to capture the WBA, WBC Franchise, IBF, WBO lightweight titles in what was one of the biggest upsets of the year.

[coneye]

So his dad says , going up the weight is good , he aint gonna get sick from his lungs no more ,,, he says NO MORE so i gather it happenned more than once ,,so whats that tell you ,, he was putting a sick fighter in the ring , BAD he was putting his son in the ring knowing he's sick from his lungs TERRIBLE ..... lOPEZ NEEDS TO FOOOOK HIS DAD OFF and get a trainer who wants to look after him not his own ego , the fathers only relevent because of the son and would see him killed to remain relevent , BAD TRAINER

[ironbeard]

So his dad says , going up the weight is good , he aint gonna get sick from his lungs no more ,,, he says NO MORE so i gather it happenned more than once ,,so whats that tell you ,, he was putting a sick fighter in the ring , BAD he was putting his son in the ring knowing he's sick from his lungs TERRIBLE ..... lOPEZ NEEDS TO FOOOOK HIS DAD OFF and get a trainer who wants to look after him not his own ego , the fathers only relevent because of the son and would see him killed to remain relevent , BAD TRAINER

+1

[margaret thatcher]

lol, the lungs nonsense again

[H8Usernames]

Teofimo Lopez the fellow who never has a boring fight.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Lopez has hinted that he might be training with Eddy Reynoso.

[Ruthless-RKO]

But said his dad would still be his main man.

[Evander]

These are the fights Teo will have to take to get another shot.

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

[Ruthless-RKO]

This one flopped!