Move over, Beterbiev-Bivol. Emanating from the years gone by when they used to spar as amateurs, their steel-cold glares underscored mutual respect. For them, it’s the punches that mattered. For Teofimo Lopez and Arnold Barboza Jr., it’s a restraint whose shackles they would happily break. If anything, their heated interaction gives ample clues. Joining a dazzling array of stars, the duo will headline a heavy-duty 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-offs, things took an ugly turn when Teofimo Lopez slapped Arnold Barboza Jr. Lopez might have just woken a sleeping lion. It’s a slight Barboza Jr. isn’t willing to forgive. Following the incident, an eerie warning lays bare the storm that is about to come.
Warm up with a slap, finish 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 ?? .” Sometime later, a reminder followed: “BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR!!!”
It must be said, be it 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. Holding his interim belt, as Barboza Jr. waited, in walked Lopez. 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?” 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 that saw him skim through Jamaine Ortiz and Steve Claggett, Teofimo Lopez returns to defend his title. With some high-quality boxing against the likes of Jose Ramirez, who is scheduled to face Haney, and then early this year, he defeated much-favored Jack Catterall in front of thousands at Manchester’s Co-op Live; Arnold Barboza Jr. seems to have impressed many.
It’s important the fighters keep up the hype so that their fights receive more views. But it should go out of hand lest it jeopardize the whole event before it even starts.
Between Teofimo Lopez and Arnold Barboza Jr., who’s your pick for the win on May 2?
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