WBO president Paco Válcarcel confirmed last week that Teofimo Lopez is relinquishing the lineal light-welterweight world titles he won over Josh Taylor the previous Saturday, as the 25-year-old is following through with his retirement claim – at least in the interim – as issues outside the ring require his undivided attention.
Lopez’s loss, at least in short-term, is division’s gain
Perhaps, had the first-round knockdown have counted in New Orleans on Saturday night, this story would be following a much different tone.
Instead, Regis Prograis made the first defence of his WBC light-welterweight title against short-notice opponent Danielito Zorrilla with split decision scorecards that predictably sparked debate among critics and fans alike.
That’s become all too common recently. Josh Taylor would’ve been dethroned 16 months earlier than this ultimately proved, had Jack Catterall rightfully won their bout in Glasgow last February. He wasn’t, and Catterall is stuck at present.
Instead, the division’s then-undisputed champion retained his titles via split decision and relinquished three in rotation (WBC, IBF, WBA) after seemingly refusing to honour his mandatory challengers.
IBF champion Subriel Matias beat Jeremias Ponce via TKO (corner retirement at the end of R5), while Rolando Romero similarly moved up to controversially beat Ismael Barroso via R9 TKO for WBA gold last month. The belts are scattered again.
Devin Haney’s father Bill was ringside at the weekend and met Rougarou afterwards, as the undisputed lightweight world champion appears eager to set up a matchup to become a two-division titlist himself.
Lopez declared a fighter of his calibre wasn’t getting paid what he deserved after beating Taylor, his disclosed payout for that win was $2.3m (£1.79m).
“I’m a two-time undisputed world champion, technically the first male to ever do it, and am I going to get the push like they would [Terence] Crawford or [Devin] Haney, Canelo [Alvarez] or [Tyson] Fury? No, I’m not.”
Those in Teofimo’s camp told ESPN’s Mike Coppinger there was no validity to the retirement claims and while relinquishing his newly-won championship directly contradicts that, it would certainly help strengthen his case outside the ring.
He has an upcoming custody trial against ex-wife Cynthia for son Junior, after their five-year relationship broke down and ‘really screwed him up mentally’.
That only exacerbated concerns about his psychological well-being in recent years – spiralling since the build-up to his shock George Kambosos defeat in Nov. 21.
As I wrote at the time, Lopez was noncommittal about what was next – instead focusing on an issue that could sideline him for the rest of 2023 and beyond.
In that instance, it would help his case both financially and psychologically to consider himself a retired pro.
The taxes and deductions he would already pay mean his take-home financial packet is considerably less than the aforementioned figure, made more difficult by having to pay monthly child support in the event he loses the custody trial.
Given he already made some surprising subtractions to fight camp, like the Perfecting Athletes nutrition team and omitting fight strategist Joey Gamache, it makes sense that he wants to finally get a busy life back in order.
Picture source: Getty Images, quotes via Shawn Porter’s PorterWay Podcast
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