Teofimo Lopez gives Update on His Next Fight Amid Ongoing Activities at 140 Lbs

Who is Teofimo Lopez fighting next? Is he going to hunt down other champions and unify the titles? It doesn’t seem so. The WBO champion has lifted the veil from his plans as he prepares for “anything.”

‘The Takeover’ is coming off a successful first title defense against Jamaine Ortiz in February, as he outpointed his opponent. Since then, there have been rumors and anticipation of whom he will fight next. The American boxer himself has clarified his current situation. What did he say?

Teofimo Lopez has nothing “lined up” at the moment

Lopez, 26, turned to his X handle and disclosed that he was preparing for any circumstance and any opponent he might be pitted against. However, he also admitted that there was no fight lined up for him. He wrote, “No fight lined up. Still preparing for anything & anyone.”

But the situation in the 140-pound division is complex. His WBO mandatory, Arnold Barboza Jr., is fighting on the Devin Haney vs. Ryan Garcia undercard against Sean McComb and risking his Inter-Continent title and mandatory status. Meanwhile, some fans want Lopez to endeavor to unify the titles against other champions at 140.

There have also been rumors of Lopez, at 20-1, taking on journeyman Steve Claggett. ESPN’s Mike Coppinger expressed that the champion was not pleased with Ortiz’s movement, so he wanted a pressure opponent next. Does Claggett fit the bill? Robert Garcia doesn’t think so. But Lopez doesn’t want to be pressed by the narrative when choosing his next fight.

Read More: Teofimo Lopez: Everyone Wants Me to Take Hardest Fights “So The Rest Can Have an Easy Route” at 140

‘The Takeover’ comes clean on the situation in 140 lbs

The Brooklyn native has defended his choice of challengers as other prominent fighters are scheduled to fight each other. He also maintained that the super lightweight division was not as stacked as fans believed it to be. Moreover, according to Lopez, everyone wanted him to take out a tough name so that they could have an easy route.

He wrote, “All these other fighters are booked for fights and to be real the 140 division is not as stacked as you all make it seem… Everyone just wants me to take out the hardest fights so the rest can have an easy route!”

If Barboza Jr. emerges victorious on April 20, it might set up an exciting fight between the two, with the duo also having a history. But if Lopez chooses Claggett next, Barboza Jr. might have to wait longer.

What do you make of this post by Teofimo Lopez? Who do you think he should fight next? Let us know in the comments below.

Also Read: Teofimo Lopez Questioned for Choosing Steve Claggett Over Boxer Whom “None of the 135 Champs Are Willing to Fight”