Arnold Barboza Jr. despatched a message to Teofimo Lopez as we speak, telling him he’s received to battle him subsequent in Alcatraz after he turned his WBO obligatory with a 12-round cut up choice win over Jack Catterall in a title eliminator in Manchester.
(Credit score: Mark Robinson/Matchroom Boxing)
Lopez (21-1, 13 KOs) will determine whether or not to defend his WBO gentle welterweight title towards Barboza Jr. (32-0, 11 KOs), vacate, or have the belt stripped from him by the sanctioning physique. Turki Al-Sheikh will determine who Teofimo faces subsequent.
Turki’s Affect
In a cryptic publish from Teofimo on X as we speak, he mentioned this to Turki:
“I’m shaking my loopy head, Turki Alalshikh; nonetheless, I respect your needs. From one lion to a different.”
Some followers consider that Turki advised Teofimo that he needs him to battle Barboza Jr. subsequent, and he’s sad about it. Teo has steered away from the gifted Barboza Jr. for 4 years, ignoring him since transferring as much as 140 and primarily specializing in lesser opposition.
If Turki forces Teofimo to battle him, the jig could possibly be up for him and his profession. High Rank has been preserving Lopez going with their protecting matchmaking like they’ve finished with Keyshawn Davis.
With out them matching him selectively, his profession would have been over a very long time in the past as a result of he’s not the fighter that individuals had thought after his win over Vasily Lomachenko 5 years in the past.
“Teofimo has his again towards the nook. Now folks know why he’s been ducking me for the previous 4 years,” mentioned Arnold Barboza Jr. to Ring Journal tonight, speaking about how he’s received WBO gentle welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez trapped after defeating Jack Catterall in a 140-lb title eliminator to turn out to be Teo’s obligatory.
“Now, it’s time to place up or shut up or vacate. So, let’s see what he does. I feel for those who put me and Teo in Alcatraz, I feel that’s going to be a tremendous conflict. That one, I’m coming to conflict. My supervisor is getting on it. He’s going to Saudi, and he’s in all probability going to be speaking to Turki and see what we are able to do,” mentioned Barboza Jr.
All of the feelings after the most important win of @jrBarbozaArnold‘s profession ♥️#CatterallBarboza pic.twitter.com/WhaRQt5oxe
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) February 15, 2025
Boxing Information 24 » Teofimo Lopez’s Subsequent Combat: Barboza Jr. Calls for Alcatraz Battle
Final Up to date on 02/15/2025
