Unified welterweight champion Terence Crawford is a wanted man, which comes with the territory when you’re the best fighter in the world. Recently, the one fighter shouting the loudest has been super lightweight king Teofimo Lopez.
Lopez (20-1, 13 KOs) is coming off a disastrous points win over Jamaine Ortiz earlier this month in Las Vegas. Many have claimed that Ortiz deserved the decision, whereas others, including Lopez, accused the fleet-footed challenger of running away. Either way, Lopez’s reputation took a hit, and he looks to redeem himself.
“Crawford is a human, just like me. We bleed the same, he just uglier,” said Lopez in a recent interview with Punsh Drunk Boxing. “He even fights ugly.”
One would have to question Lopez on the “fights ugly” part, given that fans were booing his last fight from the midway point.
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Crawford (40-0, 31 KOs) is a three-weight world champion and the best pound-for-pound fighter in boxing. In July, the Omaha native turned in a career-best performance against Errol Spence Jr. to lay claim to the undisputed welterweight championship of the world. Already a lock for the Hall of Fame, “Bud” has targeted Mexican great Canelo Alvarez.
The Sporting News takes a look at the facts concerning a potential Crawford vs. Lopez fight.
Is Teofimo Lopez the mandatory challenger for Terence Crawford?
Lopez is not the mandatory challenger right now. However, the interview with Punsh Drunk Boxing got interesting when asked if he would petition the WBO on this matter.
The 26-year-old Lopez is the reigning WBO super lightweight titleholder and received the organization’s “super champion” designation in September. As per WBO rules (see below), Lopez, as super champion, can request to be installed as Crawford’s mandatory challenger at the weight above.
(2) ELIGIBILITY TO BE CONSIDERED FOR DESIGNATION AS THE MANDATORY CHALLENGER IN HIGHER OR LOWER DIVISION.
If requested by a Super Champion, the Championship Committee may designate the Super Champion as the mandatory challenger for the higher or lower division.
“I might just do that,” said Lopez after a brief pause. “I’m sure (WBO president) Paco [Valcárcel] would want to do that.”
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Does this make the fight easier to make? Crawford has already given up his IBF welterweight title, which now belongs to Jaron “Boots” Ennis. He is, therefore, no longer officially recognized as the undisputed welterweight champion.
With that being the case, it’s unlikely that Lopez can force Crawford’s hand here. “Bud” is bigger than any one title and is in a position to call the shots.
Will Terence Crawford vs. Teofimo Lopez happen?
Lopez is promoted by Bob Arum’s Top Rank, which creates problems before anyone reaches the negotiating table.
In the fall of 2021, Crawford ended his long-term contract with Top Rank. There have been worse splits in boxing, but it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Crawford filed a lawsuit against Top Rank in 2022, claiming racial bias.
In an interview with FightHubTV last month, Arum stated he had no regrets about the split.
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“Crawford is a great talent,” said the Hall of Fame promoter. “The question is, can you match up his economic demands with his actual marketability? We were not able to do that. We lost a lot of money promoting his fights. My company is not willing to take those [financial] risks.”
Given Crawford’s lofty status, it’s doubtful that the American will want to work alongside Arum any time soon.
