Teofimo Lopez Sidesteps Haney: De La Hoya Approves Of The Move

James

3 min read

Post on Jun 06, 2025

4.4

Share

Teofimo Lopez Sidesteps Haney: De La Hoya Approves of the Move

Teofimo Lopez's decision to bypass a potential fight with Devin Haney has sent shockwaves through the boxing world, but Oscar De La Hoya, Lopez's promoter, has voiced his full support for the strategy. The move leaves many wondering what's next for the explosive lightweight contender and raises questions about the future landscape of the 135-pound division.

The boxing community had been buzzing with anticipation for a Lopez-Haney showdown, a clash that promised fireworks and a definitive answer to the question of who reigns supreme at lightweight. Haney, currently holding the undisputed lightweight championship, seemed the natural next opponent for Lopez, who is looking to regain his place at the top after a challenging loss to George Kambosos Jr. Instead, Lopez has opted for a different path, a decision that, while surprising, has been defended by his promoter.

De La Hoya's Justification: A Strategic Retreat?

Oscar De La Hoya, the legendary boxer and now prominent promoter, took to social media to express his approval of Lopez's decision. He suggested that the move was a strategic one, designed to build Lopez's momentum and confidence before facing a fighter of Haney's caliber. De La Hoya highlighted Lopez's need to regain his fighting form and emphasized the importance of carefully selecting opponents to ensure a smooth path back to title contention.

"Teofimo needs to rebuild, and this is the right way to do it," De La Hoya stated in a recent interview. "Rushing into a fight with Haney wouldn't be beneficial. We're looking at building him back up, one step at a time." This statement suggests a calculated approach, prioritizing long-term success over a potentially high-risk, high-reward clash with Haney immediately.

What's Next for Teofimo Lopez? Potential Opponents and the Road to Redemption

While the Haney fight is off the table (at least for now), speculation is rampant regarding Lopez's next opponent. Several names are being floated around, including some of the top contenders in the lightweight division. A fight against a less-ranked but still dangerous opponent could allow Lopez to regain his rhythm and confidence before potentially facing a champion like Haney in the future.

• Focusing on fundamental improvements: This strategic pause allows Lopez's team to refine his technique and address any weaknesses exposed in his previous fights.
• Building momentum with wins: A series of victories against strong, but not top-tier, opponents would bolster Lopez’s ranking and confidence.
• Negotiating a more favorable contract: De La Hoya may be using this opportunity to secure a more beneficial contract for Lopez before facing a major champion.

This calculated move by Lopez and his team is certainly a bold one, but it’s a strategy that could ultimately pay off. The road to the top is rarely a straight line, and sometimes a strategic sidestep is exactly what’s needed to achieve ultimate victory. Only time will tell if this calculated risk will lead to Lopez reclaiming his spot as a top lightweight contender.

Keywords: Teofimo Lopez, Devin Haney, Oscar De La Hoya, Lightweight Boxing, Boxing News, Boxing Strategy, Undisputed Champion, Boxing Comeback, Teofimo Lopez next fight

Call to Action (subtle): Stay tuned for further updates on Teofimo Lopez's career and the ever-evolving landscape of the lightweight boxing division.