By Adam Baskin: Teofimo Lopez kind of lost it today when reminded in an interview that WBC light welterweight champion Regis Prograis said that he’ll put him in the hospital if they fight.
(C/O Mikey Williams / Top Rank via Getty Images)
Teofimo (17-1, 13 KOs), who has a habit of embellishing his credentials by calling himself a former undisputed lightweight champion, says he’s “ready to go to the morgue” in a fight against Prograis (28-1, 24 KOs).
Whether the two fighters ever face each other is unknown because Teofimo might get picked off well before that, starting with his main event fight against Sandor Martin (40-2, 13 KOs) this Saturday night, December 10th, on ESPN+ at Madison Square Garden in New York.
That’s going to be a tough one for the 25-year-old Teofimo because Sandor brings a lot of the same elements to the ring as George Kambosos Jr. Teofimo lost to Kambosos by a 12 round decision and wanted no part of a rematch, even when the Aussie was ready to give it to him.
Teofimo comes unglued
“It’s not difficult. I’ve been in the sport for 21 years, and I’ve faced the best fighter and one of the smartest guys as a southpaw in Vasily Lomachenko. Look what I did to him,” said Teofimo Lopez to Fight Hub TV when asked if the southpaw Sandor Martin will give him problems.
“No matter who is in front of me, I’m going to beat them. I’m going to find a way. Regis Prograis, you’re going to get this work. Don’t worry about it. It’s all about being focused on Sandor Martin.
“My team did, my father did,” said Teofimo when asked if he watched Prograis’ recent fight against Jose Zepeda. “Did I want to watch the fight? I did. That’s exactly how I expected it to be.
“How do I become a two-time undisputed champion? It’s interesting. How are these guys world champions and they’re calling me out? I’m not even a world champion in this division yet, but I will be.
“You’re in my division now. It’s competition and currency. How are you going to say you’re going to put me in the hospital? I get it. It’s terms, but I almost lost my life last year because of that.
“It’s off the table. If someone has to go, it’s not going to be me. If you’re going to talk your s**t, know what you’re talking before you talk it.
“I nearly lost my life because of that. For what? Because of the fans? Nah, it don’t work that way no more. But if you want to apologize, go ahead. Then we could figure things out differently. But until then, it ain’t not friendship.
“Anyone at 140, I don’t care who you are. You are in my division. If you want to take me to the morgue, I’m ready to go to the morgue. I’m ready. I don’t got nothing to lose.
“I lost everything, and I still gained it all back. So did I really lose? I don’t need these guys. They need me. That’s a fact. Do you know why these guys are so mad? If you guys need help in how to talk to the camera, I can help you. I’ve got notes.
“I’ve got gems that I write on. I have scriptures here. I could teach these guys the game and how to carry so they have sponsors right behind them. But right now, I have a job and objectives to do, and that’s to become a two-time undisputed world champion and in two different divisions.
“I’m not overlooking Sandor Martin. This guy has 40 wins and two losses. He’s not a big puncher, but he finds a way to win. He’s from Spain, the #1 guy in Spain and Europe, all of Europe, really.
“I’m looking forward to putting on a show and showing him ‘good job beating Mikey Garcia, but you’re in a whole another dog mess with me.
“It’s also leading by example. How do I lead by example? By showing that I want to be heard. I don’t want them to listen to me anymore. The only way it’s going to be heard is when I hurt Sandor Martin on December 10th, and it’s all lights out for him.
“In my 21 years, I’ve been practicing on perfecting my jab more and how to perfect my right hand more, and how to perfect my body shots more.
“Who tops it off? Teofimo Lopez, the takeover. The leader of this new generation,” said Teofimo about Top Rank’s card this Saturday night on ESPN+. “This is how we close out the year. This is Top Rank, this is boxing,” said Prograis.
