The tension between Top Rank and Teofimo Lopez has reached a boiling point and it seems like there is no coming back. The 27-year-old signed with the promotion in 2017 with huge expectations. However, in the last few years, the relationship has turned sour and Lopez has been constantly attacking his promotion with scathing remarks.

In October 2024, ‘The Takeover’ sent a legal notice to Top Rank citing his promotional agreement as invalid. This was one of the many attempts Lopez made to leave the company before his contract period expired. However, the promotional company once again provided enough evidence to deny Teo’s claim and kept him bound. However, it looks like the fighter is in no mood to stay as he called out the promotion over their ending ESPN deal and even dragged Stephen A. Smith into the controversy. He further created another stir by rejecting Top Rank’s offer for his title defense against Subriel Matias.

Top Rank in trouble?

Teofimo Lopez took to his ‘X’ and highlighted the strained relationship that ESPN and Top Rank currently share since Top Rank decided to not renew their broadcasting deal with ESPN that ends in 2025. Lopez indirectly mocked the promotional company for not being able to fulfill its contractual obligation with the broadcasting giant. He wrote, “I wonder if @trboxing is hitting their minimum benchmarks with their @espn deal. Out of the $89M 🧐, I wonder if an Audit would help ESPN!”

According to The Athletic, the seven-year deal that Top Rank inked with ESPN ensured that the broadcasting company would pay the promoter approximately $84 million in rights fees every year for ESPN to have the sole US rights to broadcast Top Rank’s fights. However, it seems Teofimo Lopez is alleging that for the amount of money that ESPN is paying the promoter, their fights are not even hitting its “minimum benchmarks.”

This is not the first time that ‘The Takeover’ has indicated that Top Rank won’t be able to fulfill the monetary expectations of ESPN without him. Lopez further asked ESPN to assess the performances of Top Rank’s PPVs via an audit. So that they can know whether their expectations are being met or not.

He further added, “No wonder why ESPN wants to leave TopRank & Duboef,” claiming that ESPN wants to be out of this deal, just like him. Teofimo Lopez has not been a fan of Top Rank’s president Todd DuBoef. This tweet further escalates that rivalry. This broadcasting deal is essential for Bob Arum and his company and will run till July 26th, 2025.

The 27-year-old also dragged in sports veteran commentator Stephen A. Smith by tagging him in the post, urging him to speak on the matter. Smith has had a long-standing relationship with ESPN as their primary NBA analyst. Even though Smith is known for his outspoken nature, he has not commented on this situation. Chances are, he won’t even make one now.

Things recently turned more problematic on the other side when Teofimo Lopez rejected Top Rank’s latest offer. Putting his upcoming title defense against Matias in doubt.

Teofimo Lopez has got unfinished business

According to reports, Lopez was set to face Subriel Matias on March 15 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas in his WBO super lightweight mandatory title defense. Last Tuesday was the deadline for Top Rank and Lopez to strike a deal. However, the 27-year-old left the promotional company bewildered and rejected the final offer made by Bob Arum.

The Brooklyn native then took to ‘X’ and wrote, “I am flattered and honored that you all would love to see me fight right now. However, I’ve got unfinished business with Top Rank.” He assured the fans that he will fight in 2025, but it will be on his terms. “I will be fighting this year, which is guaranteed by the powers that be! 3 6 9 Soon, you will see why I did what I did!” declared Lopez in the X post.

Top Rank head honcho Bob Arum seemed furious over the developments. In a conversation with BoxingScene, he declared, “It’ll play out or it won’t,” claiming that he does not care about it one way or another. He further mentioned that he would rather focus on Denys Berinchyk vs. Keyshawn Davis on February 14 at MSG in New York. “I can’t stay up nights worrying about it. I’ve got a Garden show coming up that will sell out in three days. I can’t keep going down these rabbit holes,” declared Arum furiously.

Long-time followers of Teofimo Lopez know that this is nothing new. The boxer has shown his manic side more times in the past than anyone could remember. However, this saga needs to end soon as it not only affecting Top Rank but also fans who want to see ‘The Takeover’ in action again.

What do you think about the situation? Let us know your thoughts down below.