The WBO junior welterweight champion doesn’t seem to drop his goofy act anytime soon. He initially had good momentum. However, everything changed after his September defeat to George Kambosos Jr. Even though he bounced back from the loss with a knockout victory against Pedro Campa, he still left some questions unanswered. The former unified lightweight champion was supposed to defend his WBO world super lightweight title against Subriel Matias on March 15 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Yet, the fight tanked. Was it because the 27-year-old didn’t want to face the Puerto Rican, who has a reputation for brutal power? Or was there something more?
The truth is, the fight never materialized because Teofimo Lopez wasn’t happy with the financial terms being offered by his promoter, Top Rank. The exact amount he was hoping for has remained unclear, but his desire to make more money was certainly a factor. However, the question arises: was Lopez avoiding a risky fight with Matias, considering his lackluster performance in the last four bouts? After a year of silence, Lopez revealed the real reason behind pulling out, and that’s when Terence Crawford stepped into the conversation.
Terence Crawford’s reaction
A few days ago, Teofimo Lopez took to X and wrote, “I WILL GET SLICED FOR THIS, BUT this was to drop my first PPV & showcase that I cannot sell in bigger venues. It was against a Puerto Rican, which should have been hosted in New York, not Vegas, NV. The boxing business knows what happens IF/WHEN I miss the incentives.’”
I WILL GET SLICED FOR THIS, BUT this was to drop my first PPV & showcase that I cannot sell in bigger venues. It was against a Puerto Rican, which should have been hosted in New York, not Vegas, NV. #Boxing.
The boxing business knows what happens IF/WHEN I miss the incentives’ pic.twitter.com/PuqZOT9l0Z
— Teofimo Lopez (@TeofimoLopez) February 4, 2025
This post quickly caught the attention of Terence Crawford, who couldn’t hold back his opinion. He responded, “2.6 is crazy work to be getting when you this big star you say you is. it all makes sense now why you was being a goofy now.”
Lopez didn’t appreciate Crawford’s jab and fired back sarcastically, “Love U mi hermanito chiquito! ,” sharing a photo of them together. Crawford, not one to back down, responded, “I would say I’m yo daddy but I don’t do d–gs.” This exchange was clearly a lighthearted but pointed back-and-forth. ‘Bud Terence’ was drilling ‘The Takeover’ for his financial expectations, mocking the idea of being a ‘big star‘ while not being able to generate significant pay-per-view numbers.
But why would the 37-year-old comment on the fight purse? It might be because Teofimo Lopez now trains with Canelo Alvarez’s coach, Eddy Reynoso. And this connection adds another layer to the dynamics at play. While Lopez may have his reasons for wanting to take a stand, it’s clear that Crawford wasn’t going to let it slide without a comment. But it seems like the Brooklyn native had his reasons for doing whatever he did. What are those? Here is the answer.
Teofimo Lopez’s interview: Seeking redemption and facing criticism
To clear the air on his comments and position, Lopez was seen talking to FightHype.com recently. When asked about his next fight, Lopez boldly stated, “I’ll go Crawford first. And then we can talk about Tank.” The reporter then asked Lopez what weaknesses he saw in both Crawford and Davis, and he quickly responded with, “I see both. Both of them have holes. And I think the main hole that they have, is they don’t believe in themselves.”
Lopez further acknowledged that he didn’t have the same financial opportunities as other fighters but took it in stride. “For everybody it’s different. I did it the hard way. Just me and my father. The dynamic duo,” the 27-year-old lamented. He stated that he and his father built their success from the ground up without external privileges. But that didn’t secure him a good reputation.
Despite his accomplishments, he felt underpaid compared to other fighters who earn 8 figures per match. “They say ‘hey a million dollars that’s enough for you kid. You’ll be alright.’ But the rest of them are making 8 figures a fight,” he added. He suggested that his modest upbringing influences how promoters view his worth, limiting him to million-dollar paydays. Lopez contrasted his experience with those who have had easier paths, implying that he might have been different if given the same luxuries.
With that said, will Teofimo Lopez rise to the challenge, or will his career continue to hit roadblocks? Is Terence Crawford’s criticism justified, or is Lopez right to stand his ground? And most importantly, who will Lopez face next in his quest to regain his former glory?
The post $2.6 Million Contract Leaked as Terence Crawford Grills Boxer Training With Team Canelo Alvarez appeared first on EssentiallySports.
