Teofimo Lopez has made a firm decision to retire from boxing following his recent victory over Josh Taylor for the WBO junior welterweight title.
Just days after claiming the championship, Lopez has chosen to relinquish the title and has reiterated his retirement plans. The confirmation came from WBO president Francisco 'Paco' Valcarcel, who revealed that Lopez had personally informed him of his decision. Valcarcel expressed respect for Lopez's choice and assured him that the WBO would welcome him back if he ever decided to return to the sport.
In the event that the WBO decides to fill the vacant title, they will follow their usual process of considering available challengers. Arnold Barboza, an undefeated contender, and Jose Ramirez, a former unified WBC/WBO titlist, currently hold the second and third rankings, respectively. It is also possible that Josh Taylor may be positioned in one of those spots once his status as champion is removed.
Teofimo Lopez's victory over Josh Taylor at Madison Square Garden's Hulu Theater was a remarkable display of skill. Despite a strong start from Taylor, Lopez managed to deliver a powerful left hook in the second round that shook the defending champion. The fight remained competitive, but Lopez ultimately outperformed Taylor, solidifying his position as the true lineal champion in his second weight division.
Following the fight, Lopez took to his socials to express his gratitude to everyone who contributed to his career. He specifically thanked Top Rank and ESPN for their roles in making "THE TAKEOVER" a reality. Lopez acknowledged the impact of boxing's sanctioning bodies on his career and emphasized that he sees himself as more than just a boxer.
Beatrice Adamu is a writer for AceTVBoxing.com. She can be reached on Twitter @oh_stillbella or via email: adamubeatrice13@gmail.com.
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