FILE– Teofimo Lopez. –Al Bello/Getty Images/AFP
MANILA, Philippines—Fight fans may have just seen the last of Teofimo Lopez, who announced his retirement Tuesday not long after becoming a two-division world champion.
Lopez had hinted about calling it a career on Sunday following his unanimous decision victory over previously unbeaten Josh Taylor to capture the WBO light welterweight title in New York.
“I’m going to be announcing my retirement from the sport of boxing,” Lopez told ESPN’s Max Kellerman during a television segment.
“Blood, sweat and tears. Twenty-five years young and the first male, really, to become a two-time undisputed champion… in the four-belt era. I’m very grateful for it.”
The 25-year-old Lopez also posted about hanging up his gloves on Instagram on Sunday.
“What a relief! Retired at the Top. Thank you Boxing for the amazing life you’ve provided for myself and my entire loved ones,” Lopez wrote.
.@TeofimoLopez tells @maxkellerman that he’s retiring from boxing at the age of 25. pic.twitter.com/C0qQYFNeqG
— ESPN Ringside (@ESPNRingside) June 12, 2023
In a separate interview on The Porter Way Podcast with former welterweight champion Shawn Porter on Monday, Lopez said only a “nine-figure contract” offer would make him fight again.
“I think the only way you get Teo back is a nine-figure contract deal,” Lopez said. “Because I’ve made ESPN over a $100 million. I’m still getting paid a million dollars to fight while all these other fighters have not even done a quarter of what I’ve done and accomplished in the sport, they’re getting eight, 10, 12, 15 million dollars.
Lopez (19-1, 13KOs) won his third consecutive fight since a stunning loss to George Kambosos Jr. in November 2021 where he lost the WBA (Super), IBF, WBO lightweight belts.
He rose to boxing stardom when he shocked Vasiliy Lomachenko three years ago to become a unified champion at 135 pounds.