THE retirement of Teofimo Lopez looks like being over.
After beating Josh Taylor one month ago in New York ringside media at Madison Square Garden Theatre were told by the horse’s mouth that he was walking away.
In the four weeks that have followed Lopez has repeated his stance more than once during interviews.
Yesterday the 25-year-old used Twitter to tell his 177,000 followers that he is coming out of retirement and wants to fight Devin Haney.
Tweeting at Haney he wrote, “Let’s make the fight happen so the world can see who is about that action.
“You will not be on the A-side. I hold the king title of the division as well! So don’t run away!”
Minutes later ‘The Takeover’ followed that up saying, “Came out of retirement (I guess) because the next move was for Devin Haney to fight Arnold Barboza for my WBO championship title at 140lbs.
“I’m tired of helping this kid be something that he is not. And that’s a real champion!”
WBO President Paco Valcárcel made his voice heard on Twitter an hour before those posts informing followers that Lopez had informed him in writing that he will retain his belt.
Haney, the current lightweight champion, is said to be strongly considering a move to super-lightweight. His former promoter Eddie Hearn had spoke of looking to make a fight between his new signing Regis Prograis, who holds the WBC title at 10 stone, and Haney.
Prior to Lopez’ decision to stick with his belt the WBO ordered a bout between Jose Ramirez and Arnold Barboza which would have been for the vacant belt if Lopez had given it up. The organisation also chose to deny Haney’s request for a further 24 hours to decide his own future at lightweight and a potential move to super-lightweight. Haney holds all four belts at 135lbs and now has to decide what to do next. The WBO had given the 24-year-old a deadline of yesterday at 9pm (Eastern Time) to make up his mind.
Hopefully everything will become clearer in the coming days.
