Teofimo Lopez has never shied away from speaking his mind, often toeing the line between bold and confrontational. From controversial exchanges with Terence Crawford to recent jabs at former training partner Canelo Alvarez, the WBO super lightweight champion has built a reputation for stirring the pot. So, it’s hardly surprising that he’s now found himself at odds with His Excellency Turki Alalshikh.

Teofimo Lopez’s fight against Arnold Barboza Jr. on May 2, 2025, was his first collaboration with Saudi boxing figurehead Turki Alalshikh. The event, held in Times Square, New York, was promoted as part of Alalshikh’s Riyadh Season initiative, marking the Brooklyn native’s debut under the Saudi-backed boxing banner. However, after what transpired behind the scenes recently, ‘The Takeover’ shouldn’t expect any of that anymore.

While what exactly transpired behind the scenes to cause the separation is currently unknown, the 27-year-old hopped on X recently to write, “I just got fired, guys… However, before things get better, bad things must happen first!” He then added a few more things about his supposed firing by HE Turki Alalshikh in an Instagram live session from the Mayweather Gym in Las Vegas.

As if biting his tongue at the lack of restraint from Teofimo Lopez, HE Alalshikh wrote in a post of his own: “Maturity is to realize, most things don’t deserve a reaction.” If that wasn’t enough, Teofimo soon took it further with another jab at the GEA Chairman, responding, “D**Ktator @Turki_alalshikh.”

It’s worth noting that ‘The Takeover’ was pushing for a fight against IBF and WBA welterweight champion Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis later this year, and negotiations were underway when the news of the rift arrived. Lopez had hoped that the Saudi Royal would make the fight happen with a hefty paycheck. This could have been the reason behind the sudden shift in their equation. If that is in fact the case, after his recent online outbursts, Teofimo Lopez can forget about that happening entirely.

Since Alalshikh’s response to the drama, Lopez has come up with a counter, featuring his blunt sense of humor. “LOOKING FOR a NEW JOB,” he wrote on X while sharing a picture of himself as a homeless person. “My son Teofimo Liam needs new goggles 🥽 and a new spearfish gun!” While Lopez loses out on backing from His Excellency, there’s an update on the Ennis fight.

Eddie Hearn on Teofimo Lopez vs. Jaron Ennis

Matchroom Boxing boss Eddie Hearn shared his thoughts on the potential Lopez vs. Ennis fight, acknowledging the difficulty Ennis faces in making the 147-pound limit again. “I think the big question is whether Boots stays at 147, if I’m honest,” Hearn told BoxingScene. Despite dominating Eimantas Stanionis in his last outing, Hearn has doubts about Ennis’ level of performance in the division. 

“It’s not just can you make it? It’s can you make it and perform at your best?” Hearn explained. Even though the potential Lopez bout presents a lucrative opportunity, Hearn has opted for Ennis’ health and performance over a fat paycheck. “If he stays at 147, he’ll fight Teofimo Lopez, and if he doesn’t, obviously you’ll see him move to 154,” Hearn said. With a limited prospect of unification at welterweight and a difficult weight cut, Ennis may choose to move up to super welterweight, leaving Lopez high and dry.

That said, Teofimo Lopez might not even get to fight Jaron Ennis, as he ruined his relationship with His Excellency Turki Alalshikh. However, only time will tell whether Lopez and Alalshikh’s rift continues to expand or they eventually hash out their differences. What do you think about the situation?