Perhaps Teofimo Lopez and Arnold Barboza Jr. see decorum as a rule worth breaking. If anything, their heated interaction makes that case. Joining a dazzling array of stars, the duo will face off on a stacked Riyadh Season card on May 2. In a groundbreaking first, ‘Fatal Fury: City of Wolves’ will unfold at the celebrated Times Square in New York.

With Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney, and Rolando Romero joining the party, the lead-up to the final showdown is poised to become even more intense. During the latest face-off, the fighters exchanged heated words. With every passing second, tension rose. Barbs were traded, tempers flared, and the energy in the room turned volatile. Then, things took an ugly turn when Teofimo Lopez slapped Arnold Barboza Jr. It’s a site Barboza Jr. isn’t willing to forgive. Following the incident, an eerie warning laid bare the storm that is yet to come.

Warm up with a slap, finish off with a punch!

Matchroom Boxing shared footage of the heated exchange. “WOW! @TeofimoLopez hits @jrBarbozaArnold at the Face OFF!” their message read. It didn’t take much time before Arnold Barboza Jr. posted his reaction, “More than personal now!”

At the opposite end, Teofimo Lopez refused to hold back. After teasing, “TOO FAST! ⚡️👋,” he jibed, “HOW’d it Taste ?? 🤠.” Some time later, a reminder followed: “BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR!!!”

It must be said, whether its a pre-fight event or the ring walk, when it comes to flaunting, Lopez never disappoints. For the event, he picked a colorful cowboy attire. As Barboza Jr. waited, holding his interim belt, Lopez walked in. Wearing what looked like a classic Stetson, he carried the Ring and WBO belts.

Teofimo Lopez vs. Arnold Barboza: The road to ‘Slap-Gate’

“Get this sh*t off, bro,” saying that Barboza Jr. knocked off Lopez’s hat. Now peeved, the Brooklyn-born champion pushed Barboza Jr. Sensing danger, Oscar De La Hoya, who stood nearby, swiftly inserted himself between them.

“You better watch yourself,” Teofimo Lopez warned. It only enraged Barboza Jr. to push him once again. Taking a step back, Lopez handed over his belts, and then as Barboza shouted, “You think this is a f**king game?” as he lunged forward and lodged a solid slap with his left. But by that time, security stepped in and separated the two fighters.

Earlier, their arrivals weren’t much less dramatic. Teofimo Lopez said, “I am a giant killer. I kill all the giants they talk about, and although I don’t think Arnold Barboza is a giant, I know who’s behind him.” Barboza Jr., who interrupted him repeatedly, called him ‘fake’ and slammed, “You ain’t fight nobody shut your a** up.”

Following two lackluster performances in which he narrowly edged past Jamaine Ortiz and Steve Claggett, Teofimo Lopez returns to defend his title. Arnold Barboza Jr. displayed some high-quality boxing against Jose Ramirez, who is scheduled to face Haney. And earlier this year, he defeated much-favored, Jack Catterall in front of thousands at Manchester’s Co-op Live. Indeed, Arnold Barboza Jr. seems to have impressed many.

It’s important the fighters keep up the hype so that their fights receive more views. However, it shouldn’t get out of hand, lest jeopardize the whole event even before it even starts.

Between Teofimo Lopez and Arnold Barboza Jr., who’s your pick for the win on May 2?