Teofimo Lopez has grown weary of unwarranted criticism. The American boxer came all guns blazing when Teddy Atlas questioned his boxing acumen and accused him of fighting down to his competition. The shots were fired, punches were pulled, and it was the WBO champion who had thrown a devastating blow. What did he say?

‘The Takeover’ has received flak for his dismal performance against Jamaine Ortiz, and many even questioned his caliber as a boxer. The performance also ensured he was no longer a pound-for-pound fighter. Moreover, his decision to fight Steve Claggett has only added fuel to the fire.

Teddy Atlas joined the bandwagon and asked whether the 26-year-old champion was as good as they thought. He declared, “You start to say, okay, is he that guy who only gets up for certain guys?” That he thinks he respects. That he thinks there is a fear level, danger level, you know, and an urgency level and he gets up or fight down to his competition. Or, and here is the tough one, is he not as good as we thought he was?”

These comments didn’t sit well with the Brooklyn native, who then turned to his X handle and blasted off the famed trainer. He issued an open challenge to take his The Ring strap and lineal champion crown. Until that happened, Lopez asked his doubters to tone down their scathing remarks and step on a Lego.

“Until someone has the cojones to risk their entire career to take my @ringmagazine/@LinealBoxChamp belt from me. The rest of you need to STFU and step on a Lego. Sincerely, The leader of the new era of boxing,” Lopez wrote. However, this wasn’t the end of his troubles, as he also justified fighting Steve Claggett, a Canadian slugger.

Boxing Rankings: Teofimo Lopez Dropped from Ring Magazine’s Pound-for-Pound List

Teofimo Lopez defends picking Steve Claggett next

Lopez, at 20-1, specified that every other big name was slated to fight next, leaving him with less choice. In addition, he disclosed his intention to stay active. But he lamented that the division was not as stacked as fans thought, adding how he believed everyone wanted him to have the toughest fights so other boxers could take an easier path.

He wrote, “All these other fighters are booked for fights and to be real the 140 division is not as stacked as you all make it seem. I told myself and to @trboxing I will fight 3-4 times this year. Everyone just wants me to take out the hardest fights so the rest can have an easy route!”

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It remains to be seen whether the Claggett fight will work for him as a tune-up fight. And if he will return to his old, explosive self on June 29. What do you make of this exchange between Teddy Atlas and Teofimo Lopez? Do you believe Atlas was fair in his criticism of Lopez? Let us know in the comments below.

Teofimo Lopez Questioned for Choosing Steve Claggett Over Boxer Whom “None of the 135 Champs Are Willing to Fight”