Teofimo Lopez Keeps Late Kobe Bryant’s Legacy Alive by Inspiring Boxing’s Rising Prospect

You pay a price when you lose. But sometimes even more when you win! Not sure how true this could be, but 20-year-old promising talent and one of the bright new names from the lower divisions, Emiliano ‘El General’ Vargas, seems to believe so. Last Saturday, he scored his eleventh career victory in the style that he knows the best: a first-round knockout. The unbeaten scion of the famous Vargas boxing family can now look forward to stepping into the next phase of his career, which might see him take on some of the top contenders.

However, from a post he shared, he appears to be suspicious about whether everyone is happy with his unbridled success. After all, he is a youngster wading through the complex labyrinthine pathways of boxing. Naturally, he might get lost sometimes and need some handholding to show him the proper route. Thankfully, support was at hand. His plight seemingly reached Teofimo Lopez‘s ears. ‘The Takeover’ didn’t waste any time and shot back with a quote that inspired many- beautiful words from none other than the basketball great, the late Kobe Bryant.

Emiliano Vargas and Teofimo Lopez: Strength in Solidarity

It’s unclear what the grounds or circumstances were that might have forced Emiliano Vargas into that emotional outburst. He wrote, “It really angers people that I’m winning. God already wrote my story. Keep watching.” The win follows his last month’s sixth-round knockout triumph over Angel Varela at the Emanuel Navarrete vs. Denis Berinchyk undercard. Initially, Vargas and Jose Zaragoza were supposed to clash on June 21. But it was later rescheduled to the Teofimo Lopez-Steve Claggett show.

Having been through many ups and downs in his eight-year-old career, perhaps the young boxer’s angst struck a chord with Teofimo Lopez. The ‘Takeover’ himself recorded yet another win and defended his title, more convincingly than he did against Jamaine Ortiz in February this year.

The tweet from ‘The Takeover’ featured a powerful quote from the late Kobe Bryant. Tagging Emiliano Vargas to go through it carefully, it read, “Nobody hates the good ones; they hate the Great ones. -Kobe Bryant @emilianofvargas.” The saying emphasizes that if one follows the path of greatness, one will stumble across multiple challenges and resistance.

Lopez probably wanted Emiliano Vargas to realize that people will always harbor ill will and resentment toward those exceptionally successful in their field of work. Why doesn’t it happen to ‘good people’? Everyone likes and respects ‘good people’, but that is not the case with overtly successful ones. Why such apathy? It could be because, with their success, the great ones tend to provoke powerful emotions in others, including jealousy and hostility. They might feel inferior or threatened.

So what is ‘The Takeover’ doing to ensure his legacy? The boxer is now done with two title defenses. Hence, isn’t it high time he gets a bigger payday to cement his name among boxing’s biggest faces?

Taking over his own legacy

In fact, reports confirm that the Brooklyn-born champion has his eyes set on none other than Terence Crawford! Speaking on ‘The Danza Project’, he shared his views on potential line-ups, including Gervonta Davis and Shakur Stevenson. As per the available reports, he might be moving towards title unification with a potential clash with Isaac Cruz.

It’s difficult to point out when the late Kobe Bryant said those words. But comprehend it fairly well, for sure. Tennis fans should remember. In the lead-up to his eventual championship win, legend Novak Djokovic recalled the basketball legend’s great words amidst the reported criticisms he received ahead of his second-round match. He said, “Does that surprise you? ….. Personally, I’d be surprised if it were any different. As Kobe used to say, it’s a great quote: ‘Haters are a good problem to have. Nobody hates the good ones. They hate the great ones.”

Emiliano Vargas has nothing to be ashamed of. He can hold his head high and forge ahead.

What’s your take on Teofimo Lopez’s supporting gesture? Please share your views with us in the comments below.