Teofimo Lopez is training with Team Canelo and staying sharp for a potential unification fight against IBF light welterweight champion Richardson Hitchins. That fight might not end well for ‘The Takeover’ Lopez if he goes through with it.
Hitchins is like a combination of Shakur Stevenson, Floyd Mayweather Jr., and Subriel Matias. He can do it all, and he’s so hard to beat. I don’t see this ending well for Teofimo.
Time machine required
Lopez says he feels “Rejuvenate,” but he’s going to need a time machine for that to happen. He hasn’t looked good in so many years that it’s impossible to take him at face value. He’s an old 27-year-old, and it’s hard to believe he’s not in his late 30s given how bad he’s looked since 2021.
Teo is still a good talker and can get fans excited about his fights in 2025, but as far as winning any of them, it won’t happen unless he’s beaten against weak opposition. He’s become that kind of fighter—an Adrien Broner type who can still talk but can’t fight with a lick.
Canelo’s trainer, Eddy Reynoso, will have to be a magician to rejuvenate Teofimo and bring him back to what he was years ago.
If Teo goes 0-2 in his fights in 2025, Turki Al-Sheikh may have a case of buyer’s remorse for signing him to a three-fight contract. If you’ve watched Teofimo’s fights since 2021, you can’t expect much from him other than losses and poor performances. Hardcore boxing fans are well aware that Teo is on the downside of his career, and he is not coming back to be the fighter he once was.
Claggett disaster
Teo looked like he was springing after his last fight against Steve Claggett last July, and was beaten all in one hell of a bad performance.
You can give Lopez a break because he looks terrible against Jamaine Ortiz, Sandor Martin, George Kambosos and Pedro Campa because they are decent fighters. But there is no excuse that Teo is struggling against Claggett and both eyes are almost closed due to the swelling.
Lopez’s three-fight plan
- Richardson Hitchins
- Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis
- The final in February 2026
If Teofimo loses to Boots in October, his fight in February will be the Ryan Garcia vs. Being Devin Haney 2 loser.
Loser’s Bracket beckons
It’s likely that Lopez will end up in the loser’s bracket, ready to skidrow battle Haney. It’s a win for Teofimo, but only because Haney can’t take a punch.
WBO 140lb champion Tefoimo (21-1, 13 KOs) hopes to get 2025 off to a good start by taking on undefeated Hitchins (19-0, 7 KOs), then IBF 147lb champion Jaron ‘Boots ‘ Ennis in Ok
WBO 140-lb champion Teo is a good basic champion, but he is not the fighter he was five years ago. He may never have been a great talent to begin with, but he has gone downhill since 2020.
Three fights, three losses?
“We just export and take over. This is a great year for me. I feel rejuvenated. These are exciting fights that we look forward to making and taking over,” said Teofimo Lopez Fight Hub TV about his plans to fight a unification match against Richardson Hitchins, then Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, in October.
“I don’t fight until early summer. I want to play business this year. I want to make the right deals. Richardson Hitchins, Jaron Ennis and then the final. I fight a champion, and then the big fight.
“He just has to let go of his pride and ego. Just play business,” Teofimo said when asked if we will see him and Gervonta Davis fight. If you really want to fight us, this is how we make it happen.”
A duo we should see more of 🥊🔥 pic.twitter.com/BHJV1JdAaF
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) January 19, 2025
