‘Anybody That Would Have Done That Would Have Died Immediately’: Teofimo Lopez Makes a Heart-Wrenching Admission

Covid-19 continued its spread unabated through the 2020s. The world went on a lockdown spree, and cities upon cities went quiet. The impact on the world of sports was reciprocal. With most of the stadium, gyms, and arena under lock, major and minor tournaments faced cancellations or postponement to an unforeseeable future. But exceptions to the rule were plenty. In an empty MGM Grand, Brooklyn lad Teofimo Lopez handed over the second defeat to master tactician Vasiliy Lomachenko on 17th October 2020. The road downhill was not far away.

After the bout, Teofimo not only lost his titles but needed a few weeks’ hospitalization to treat a fatal respiratory condition.

Read More: Teofimo Lopez vs. Sandor Martin Disclosed Fight Purse

Multiple MMA journalist of the year award winner Ariel Helwani invited Teofimo on his show MMAFightingonSBN. The duo discussed The Takeover’s recovery from the debilitating medical problem and the preparations for the upcoming fight against Spaniard Sandor Martin.

With grace, with mercy and peace and love – Teofimo Lopez

Helwani expressed a curiosity to understand how the champion took the road back from the brink of total ruin. He asked, “… like your career almost went away your life almost ended and so I’m wondering if you have more of an appreciation for not just the fights themselves and the build up but like the promo the little things that go into fighting…”

Every bit relaxed and grateful, Lopez explained how the previous years’ experiences affected his overall perspective on life. The near-death experience made him a bit more insightful on the smallest of things that surround us, “In this world you know it’s all about death and taxes and…I think when when it came to uh death you know and it did come in my in my Hospital in my hospital bed when I was in the ICU after my fight…I just I realized more yeah I’m very much more appreciative of of not just my life…”

Teofimo had barely recovered from the shock victory over Lomachenko and found himself rushed to defend the Aussie onslaught. However, George Kambosos Jr. proved a hard nut to crack. Lopez lost the match by split decision.

Within sniffing distance of death

In February 2021, American social media platform Triller stepped in to sponsor Teofimo’s title defense. The decision proved catastrophic. First, Lopez got infected with Covid-19, resulting in the match getting postponed, which became a regular feature over some time.

Eventually, Triller gave up, and Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom took over from where the former had left.

Teofimo learned about the medical issue after losing the Kambosos match. At New York’s Bellevue Hospital, Doctors informed that the boxer had pneumomediastinum, a condition where air settles in the chest cavity between the two lungs. Additionally, Lopez’s retropharyngeal area contained air. ESPN learned from the Doctors that his life was hanging by a thread.

Reportedly El Brooklyn’s esophagus was severely impaired, and he reported breathing issues before the fight. Sharing the details with Yahoo Sports, Teofimo said he never had any second thoughts about fighting the Aussie challenger.

He returned to the ring on 13th August this year to face Pedro Campa and won by technical knockout. So life has come full circle for the youngster who started boxing at six. He should now be able to focus on building up his career from when he had left.

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