Terence Crawford came out on social media today to respond to Teofimo Lopez’s callout, telling him he must worry about the fighters in his weight class at 140.
The trash-talking between the two fighters could lead to a mega-fight, which is what Teofimo (19-1, 13 KOs) is angling for.
Teofimo Sparks the Flame
In interviews today, WBO light welterweight champion Teofimo had discredited Crawford over his best career wins, saying that he’d beaten handicapped fighters he defeated Errol Spence, Kell Brook, and Jose Benavidez Jr. All three had suffered recent injuries at the time they fought Crawford.
When Crawford fought Spence last July, he wasn’t aware that he had suffered a cataract injury that reduced vision in his right year. All Terence knew is he was an unbeaten three-belt champion, who many felt was the best in the world at welterweight.
Crawford Fires Back
In reacting to Teofimo’s minimizing of his best career wins, he took to X and fired back with: “Teofimo Lopez, you better worry about them little guys that are on your backside down there in your weight class. It’s crazy every time I see you, you don’t even look my way, but when you’re in front of a camera, you got so much to say.”
What Crawford is saying here is Teofimo needs to stay focused on the 140-lb division, pay attention to his next opponent, Jamaine Ortiz, and not try to hustle fights against popular fighters above his weight class.
The comment that Crawford made about Teofimo’s habit of talking big when the cameras are following is that it’s all clout-chasing theatrics and tactics to get the media and fans to pay attention to him but without doing it by fighting elite-level opposition.
Lopez’s Rebuttal
Teofimo’s reply to Crawford: “Time will tell! You must also focus on getting yourself out of that trapped contract you’re in with Errol Spence Jr & Al Haymon. See you at the Top, brother.
Teofimo will defend his WBO 140-lb title next month against Jamaine Ortizon on February 8th in Las Vegas. The fight will be shown on ESPN. Teo has been giving a lot of interviews this week, trying to drum up interest in his fight with Ortiz and doing a bit of name-dropping.
