Teofimo Lopez had supposedly retired after his fight with Josh Taylor, but behind-the-scenes movements suggest he has not, given Top Rank’s request to the WBO to elevate him to ‘super champion’, a designation that comes with its own set of extra benefits aside from being a world champion.
The WBO publicly released a document on August 31st, verifying Top Rank’s request for this designation. Though their current rankings already paint Teofimo Lopez (19-1, 13 KO’s) as a super champion, it is unclear when they had given him this distinction as no official announcement was made regarding this matter. Teofimo Lopez is now apparently the WBO super champion at 140 lbs, allowing him certain opportunities not afforded to a normal world champion including the ability to reclaim his title over any other contender [mandatory or otherwise] if he loses, or challenge for the same WBO title in other divisions.
The distinction of a WBO super champion is not new. Currently, both pound-for-pound fighters Terence Crawford (40-0, 31 KO’s) and Naoya Inoue (25-0, 22 KO’s) are regarded as ‘super champions’ and have effectively the same privileges as explained before.
However, this request seems to obliterate the notion that Teofimo Lopez retired; an announcement he made in the ring after winning his fight against the then-incumbent WBO champion at super lightweight, Josh Taylor, and later confirmed once more.
According to the WBO’s document, Top Rank vice-president Carl Moretti sent a letter out of the blue to the sanctioning body to request Teofimo Lopez to elevated to super champion. Though Lopez has remained radio silent on his future plans in boxing, this action suggests there is some movement on his part. Top Rank would very likely not interject in these types of matters for their fighter without the fighter’s own approval or urging.
The super champion status now allows Teofimo Lopez to move up or down whatever division he desires to challenge for any active WBO world champion in the division. While there is always the option to unify against any of the other three champions in the division, all three champions are currently fighting under a rival promoter of Top Rank in either the PBC or Matchroom, and a unification is therefore not likely due to the promoters’ politics.
Therefore, the option for Lopez to claim the super champion status makes more sense if he is aiming for a move up, or down. Either option presents further issues with it, as the current undisputed champion of the welterweight division, Terence Crawford, is purportedly planning to move up to 154 lbs which will likely see all his titles be vacated.
At lightweight, the division that’s a step lower than 140 lbs where Teofimo Lopez reigns as WBO champion, Devin Haney (30-0, 15 KO’s) is still a unified champion after recently vacating his WBC title but he is now apparently planning on fighting in the same division as Teofimo Lopez.
Moving up more or down more divisions presents even more problems for Teofimo Lopez due to the risks associated with such heavy weight drains or gains.
In any case, the American world champion has multiple paths in front of him that he is able to take, and whichever one he chooses it will certainly be a most-interesting venture given Lopez’ eccentric and boisterous personality that draws shades from the likes of Floyd Mayweather Jr., Muhammad Ali and Prince Naseem.
