
via Getty
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 20: Teofimo Lopez celebrates his fifth rounf knockout of Edis Tatli during their lightweight fight at Madison Square Garden on April 20, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

via Getty
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 20: Teofimo Lopez celebrates his fifth rounf knockout of Edis Tatli during their lightweight fight at Madison Square Garden on April 20, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Teofimo Lopez might have had a glorious time dealing with his in-ring adversaries, as he became the unified lightweight champion by beating Vasyl Lomachenko last year. However, his relationship with Top Rank has taken a toll, and it has significantly affected the broadcasting partner ESPN.
Top Rank lost the bid for Lopez’s upcoming fight against George Kambosos, as Triller bagged the rights to telecast the event. While Top Rank bid only around $2.5 million, Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom bid $3.5 million, before Triller won the purse with a massive $6 million.
It seems to have turned out favorably for Lopez, who has discovered his worth. That said, he wouldn’t mind leaving Top Rank to relish more finances by being a free agent. The 23-year-old sat with Siris XM and shed light on the entire situation, including ESPN’s disapproval over Top Rank’s bid.
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🎙️"I see myself within maybe this fight or my next fight, I'll be a free agent." — @TeofimoLopez outlines his future plans after #LopezKambosos and under which promotional banner they could be under 🔊@DAZNBoxing @BoxingwithAk @TheBoxingBully
⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ pic.twitter.com/0XFzP4VQjd
— SiriusXM Boxing (@SiriusXMBoxing) March 2, 2021
“ESPN knows my relationship with them and how much I love them and the platform, and of course they are upset. They are disappointed in Todd Dubeof and Top Rank and this is what happens man. I look at it like this you know, I know what I am worth,” said ‘Take Over’.
Lopez continued, “If they could have treated us with respect and they could have done those things properly, like they should have, as a business. Then we wouldn’t be in this situation right now. But honestly, Gods’ got better plans for me and it’s going towards Triller.”
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Teofimo Lopez- The Free agency and his new Promotions ‘Take Over’
The new rising star of boxing is considered one of the brightest prospects, especially after beating Vasyl Lomachenko. His fight on ESPN claimed record-breaking PPV numbers. So, Lopez might walk Floyd Mayweather‘s way and opt for free-agency to get what he rightfully deserves. He has planned to start his own promotion, and that might begin with his fight against Kambosos on Triller.

via Getty
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 17: Teofimo Lopez Jr celebrates after defeating Vasiliy Lomachenko (not pictured) in their Lightweight World Title bout at MGM Grand Las Vegas Conference Center on October 17, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank via Getty Images)
“I see myself, within maybe this fight or my next fight, I will be a free agent. There’s so much proof for me to get out of this Top Rank contract that they gave me the golden ticket. Todd DuBeof gave me the golden ticket by doing so.
They already dug a bigger hole than they needed to, so of course, the Take Over promotions will be in effect, and it would be Take Over promotions times, a network you know, God willing and that’s what I am looking forward to,” said Lopez.
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The five-year-veteran, Lopez, has achieved stardom and amassed an enormous fortune at an early stage of his career. So, he might not hesitate in taking the bigger steps that can eventually expand his reign on the business.
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Do you think Teofimo Lopez should become a free agent?
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