Teofimo Lopez seemed to be fluttering about rather like a moth at today’s press conference for the much-anticipated Errol Spence vs. Terence Crawford bout. He was audibly endeavouring to enhance his standing by persuading Spence’s coach that his most recent adversary, WBO light welterweight king Josh Taylor, remained, in essence, the undisputed 140-lb champion, given that he’d renounced his IBF, WBA & WBC crowns without ever being defeated for them.
The precise motive behind Teofimo’s attempt to present himself as the reigning undisputed light welterweight champion to Spence’s coach remains rather murky.
One can only conjecture that Teofimo is seeking to boost his reputation in the eyes of James, in hopes that he might encourage Spence to consider him as his next opponent, provided he triumphs in the impending clash with Crawford. However, it’s doubtful that Spence will entertain the idea, especially if Teofimo is glossing over the reality of his accomplishments by claiming to be a two-division undisputed champion.
Teofimo Lopez: “He [Josh Taylor] never surrendered his belts in the ring. He simply gave them up,” Teo expressed to Fighthype.
Derrick James: “Oh, the bloke that you’ve just taken on?”
Teofimo: “Indeed, he remained undisputed.”
The spectacle was rather amusing, particularly considering Derrick James’ perplexed expression upon hearing Teofimo’s convoluted reasoning. It was almost as if he was thinking, ‘What’s this odd fellow up to? Does he take me for a fool? How can I quickly escape from this bizarre situation?’
James decided not to indulge Teofimo’s absurd theory or entertain his fanciful thinking. The esteemed trainer rapidly retreated from Teofimo, seemingly eager to disassociate himself from such folly as swiftly as possible.
The worst thing James could have done was to concur with Teofimo’s assertion that he was the new undisputed 140-lb champion. If James had done so, he would have found it impossible to extricate himself from Teofimo’s clutches.
Isn’t it so like Derrick to refuse to sit through a barrage of whimsical drivel, especially when it comes to someone trumping up their false achievements based on fiction, as Teofimo was seemingly doing?
