Teofimo Lopez: I earned my A-side, they haven’t

By Boxing News - 02/07/2021 - Comments

By Sean Jones: Teofimo Lopez’s win over Vasily Lomachenko appears to have gone to his head because he’s talking about how must be the A-side with the other top 4 lightweights in the division.

With his IBF, WBA, WBC, and WBO 135-pound titles in his possession, Teofimo (16-0, 12 KOs) is insisting on getting at least a 60-40 split of the dough against these top lightweights:

  • Devin Haney
  • Ryan Garcia
  • Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis

Former three-division world champion Lomachenko (14-2, 10 KOs) effectively has zero chance of getting a rematch with Teofimo despite their fight last October being close.

Teofimo says he won’t fight Lomachenko again, which you can view as a compliment to the Ukrainian fighter, but it also gives one a glimpse of Lopez’s confidence or lack thereof.

Lopez’s promoters at Top Rank are still attempting to negotiate a fight against his IBF mandatory George Kambosos Jr. There’s a purse bid that will be taking place this week, possibly on Monday. The tentative date for that fight is on June 12th in New York City.

Teofimo to fight in front of fans

“My next fight is going to be with the fans, but I earned it,” said Teofimo to Fighthype. “None of those guys get 50-50 with me.

Image: Teofimo Lopez: I earned my A-side, they haven't

“They get at least 60-40, and if they keep acting up, they’ll get 70-30. But you know what? I love to make these fights [against the ‘Four Kings’] happen.

“However, how am I going to give all the hard work that I did and give it to them because they think they were better than me? If you were better than me, you should have fought Lomachenko and beat him.

“You didn’t take the chance. Now you got to eat it, and if they don’t understand that, I’m sorry, ladies and gents. That’s just the way it goes. I earned my A-side. They haven’t.

“They’ve yet to earn their A-side. That’s all I’m talking about. As long as they fight the top calibrated fighters in the division, then we can talk about okay.

“Even with Floyd [Mayweather], everybody goes through the process. Everybody is eventually an A-side, and then they become the A-side.

“I was the B-side with Lomachenko, and now I’m the A-side. I’m the King of the lightweight division. There ain’t no ‘Four Kings.’

“There’s only one King,” Teofimo said in rating him above Devin Haney, Ryan Garcia, Lomachenko, and Tank Davis.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oP7XbEUFUw

We don’t know if Teofimo’s next fight will be in front of fans, as the June 12th date will depend on whether vaccines are available to the U.S population and not just the elderly.

As far a Teofimo’s assistance on getting a 60-40 split against the other top lightweights, that’s going to be a severe hindrance from making those fights happen. Ryan Garcia, Haney, and Tank likely will never agree to that.

What we could see is Teofimo’s career winding up like many fighters that price out their competition and are reduced to facing obscure contenders in mismatches.

It’s easy to see Teofimo heading down that path, and it’s sad to see. You can argue some people aren’t well-suited to be leaders or champions. Once they get power, it goes to their heads.

Lopez wants to be the A-side

“So when they bring up Marvin Hagler and all these other guys, they fought each other, yeah, but they earned their way to get up there,” Teofimo continued.

Image: Teofimo Lopez: I earned my A-side, they haven't

“They fought other top fighters in their division, and then they fought each other afterward. But they all agreed on one thing. ‘

“You got these belts, and I got this, but I understand I’m the B-side on this part.’ Put your pride down, put your ego down because of that s*** stink.

“Everybody has got their pride, but you’ve got to put that s*** to the side. Who the f*** are they? I don’t want them to lose.

“I want to be the one to make them lose. That’s why I am who I am in this sport, but outside, I’m a people’s champion.

“I’m a champion for the people. I want to make these fights happen. It’s just that these guys are mad, mad, and prideful.

“They really think they’re up there, but I guarantee you they’re broke. That’s why they want to make these fights happen.

“They don’t got that money yet. That’s why I say, look, man, the big news is coming, big things are coming, and y’all just got to see it happen,” Teofimo said.

As long as Teofimo holds onto his four belts, he’ll be in the position to be the A-side, but he can forget about forcing the top guys to agree to a 60-40 split.

Ultimately, Teofimo could cripple his own career with his obsession with being the A-side for his fights. He’s only beaten two good fighters during his career in Lomachenko and Richard Commey.

His win over Lomachenko was close to being a draw, and we don’t know who would have won if Loma hadn’t been fighting with an injured right shoulder.

Teofimo: I’m the Lion, they’re they Hyenas

“This is the ‘Take over,’ this is real,” said Teofimo in continuing his rambling rant. “We’re taking over the sport. We’re becoming the ‘Face of Boxing.’

YouTube video

“That’s why I stay hungry. I know these guys are hungry. I look at it like this. I’m a lion and they’re hyenas.

“They want to be a lion but they can’t. they don’t step up to the plate. Show me something.

“I’m pressing on them. For those saying I’m a ‘Duck,’ I love you all. It’s easier said than done. You haven’t been in my shoes yet.

“I’ll give you my shoes. You won’t even last a day in my shoes, nobody. That’s what I’m made of, this is who I am.

“This is what I represent, and what I stand for. I stand for boxing and for the rights of making these fights happen.

“I’ll say this. Let’s put all their pride to the side, man. Errol Spence – Crawford, make the fight happen. Anthony Joshua – Tyson Fury, I’m happy you’re going to make this fight happen, it’s great for the sport.

“Josh Taylor – Jose Ramirez, I’m happy you’re making this fight happen,” said Teofimo.

Lopez might find it lonely at the top with him unable to get the top guys to agree to his purse demands.

You got to feel a little sorry for Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, as he has high hopes for Teofimo to put him in with the top guys at 135 and 140, but that’s not going to happen with the way he’s talking.

If Teofimo prices himself out against the top competition, he’ll have a lackluster career.