Teofimo Lopez and the WBO are likely jumping for joy after the WBO’s decision to grant Lopez the status of WBO super champion. This status grants the current WBO super lightweight champion several privileges, foremost among them the ability to be eligible for designation as a mandatory challenger in the same division, and when moving up or down weight classes.
Since Teofimo Lopez reportedly retired and reaffirmed his retirement after his first announcement, his super champion status now grants him the ability to come out of retirement and fight for a WBO title whenever he feels ready. This decision by the WBO also provides the organization with the opportunity to vacate the WBO title currently held by Lopez in the super lightweight division and crown a new champion, all while Lopez can challenge for this same title in the future.
As far as can be discerned from the WBO’s rules and regulations, there is no set time limit to this status, though it can be revoked if the super champion in question:
- Violates any of the WBO Rules and Regulations.
- Displays unsportsmanlike conduct or engages in activities unbecoming of a professional boxer.
- Abuses drugs (either illegal drugs or performance-enhancing drugs).
- Is convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude.
Despite the WBO’s official announcement of his status, their own rankings that listed all the WBO rankings throughout the weight classes had already designated him as such by August 15th.
Essentially, this made the WBO’s decision to grant this super champion status a mere formality, given that their own rankings had already designated Lopez as such. The decision was voted upon by the WBO’s Executive Committee and approved by WBO President Luis Salas himself.
It is still unclear when Teofimo Lopez will return to the ring, but undoubtedly, his official super champion status allows him more flexibility when it comes to deciding when and who he will fight.
The full list of privileges afforded to a WBO super champion can be observed below:
