TEOFIMO Lopez has put his long-term relationship with Top Rank promoter Bob Arum into question, seemingly exploring the possibility of becoming a free agent.
The 27-year-old comes off two somewhat uninspiring victories in 2024, edging a highly contentious decision against Jamaine Ortiz before comprehensively outpointing Steve Claggett.
Nevertheless, ‘The Takeover’ retained his WBO world super lightweight title on both occasions after dethroning Josh Taylor with a scintillating display in 2023.
This year, however, Lopez has promised to deliver a vastly more memorable run of performances, targeting the elite operators in and around his division.
IBF welterweight titlist Jaron Ennis was mentioned as a possible opponent for his next outing, with Arum revealing last month that a Top Rank attorney had been in talks with Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn.
But then, after negotiations were seemingly abandoned, ESPN – Top Rank’s broadcast partner – reported that a clash between Lopez and former world champion Subriel Matias is being targeted for March 15.
Lopez, though, has nonetheless expressed an interest in ending his working relationship with Arum.
Yesterday, he wrote on X: “What’s my [buyout clause] again?”
The post emerged just hours after the American traded barbs with super lightweight rival Devin Haney on social media.
In response to Haney’s announcement that he will return to the ring in March, Lopez chimed in with an attempt to goad the 26-year-old, calling for a potential showdown.
Later, ‘The Dream’ poked fun at Lopez by suggesting that he will only earn “peanuts” so long as he stays with Top Rank.
