TEOFIMO Lopez has attempted to improve his relationship with Turki Alalshikh, not quite grovelling but certainly holding his cap in his hand.
‘The Takeover’ was initially angling for a showdown with unified welterweight champion Jaron Ennis, hoping to make his mark at 147lbs while, at the same time, securing a lucrative payday.
Their matchup emerged as a possibility shortly after Lopez, 22-1 (13 KOs), the reigning WBO world super-lightweight champion, successfully defended his title against Arnold Barboza Jr.
His unanimous decision victory arrived at the beginning of last month, following two far less impressive performances against Steve Claggett and Jamaine Ortiz.
But while, after outpointing Barboza, Lopez swiftly entered discussions for a clash with IBF and WBA world champion Ennis, it would now appear that the American is exploring alternative options.
One of which just so happens to be a potential dustup with Devin Haney, who comes off a largely passive display against Jose Ramirez.
Naturally, his uninspiring unanimous decision victory, which appeared on the same card as Lopez vs Barboza, has removed a degree of lustre from the pair’s otherwise intriguing matchup.
As a result, Lopez was left feeling undervalued by whatever money had been offered to him for the Haney fight and, in turn, decided to direct his frustration at Alalshikh.
A string of rather bizarre tweets – several of which suggested that he had been ‘fired’ – alluded to the fact that the 27-year-old was not best pleased with the Saudi paymaster.
But since then, Lopez has deleted the social media posts and, earlier this morning, issued a public statement in a bid to rebuild his damaged relationship with Alalshikh.
On X, he wrote: “To [Alalshikh], I take full responsibility for my inappropriate words on the ‘X app.’ I publicly [apologise to Alalshikh]; I will conduct myself with greater respect, humility, and professionalism. Sending love and light to all.”
