HE MAY be retired but there is no escaping media attention for Teofimo Lopez.
The 25-year-old attended yesterday’s Errol Spence-Terence Crawford press conference in New York and was flanked by reporters afterwards.
Lopez announced his decision to leave the sport in the immediate aftermath of his top-drawer performance against Josh Taylor on Saturday. ‘The Takeover’ left the ring with belts around his waist but told the media section inside the Madison Square Garden Theatre that he was in fact retiring.
The Brooklyn born superstar now plans to promote and train fighters, alongside his father Teofimo Sr., as well as work in a commentating capacity in the future. Everyone has their price, however. During a media scrum captured by FightHub TV Lopez was asked what it would take to call off his retirement.
“It’s a three-to-five-year contract that I’m looking at, you can throw a big number on there,” he answered.
Later on, he added: “The only way I come back is a long chunk of change because that right there I could use to actually help my family. So, if I do die in some drastic way, I’m happy to see that my work is going to be left forward for my kids’ kids. It’s generational wealth. That’s what we do it for. I’m not gonna come back for 10 million dollars, that’s too light because after taxes, after paying everybody and after the belt sanctioning fees, you’re going home with two million. I need security. It’s not for me, it’s for my loved ones.”
Lopez admitted that not even his loved ones believe he is retired but for now it is the stance he continues to take. The former number one lightweight revealed that there is “six to eight months left” on his current contract with Top Rank.
In the shape of Gervonta Davis, Shakur Stevenson and Devin Haney there are three attractive options that could lure Lopez back to the ring. During the questioning the new super-lightweight champion gave his opinion on who would be the toughest opponent for him.
“Technically wise Shakur. Power and some speed would be Tank. Devin Haney is the last of the bunch and I think Shakur knows it, Tank knows it.”
