TEOFIMO LOPEZ JR will never kick his controversial dad out of his corner because he remembers EXACTLY where he came from.
The 28-year-old super-lightweight world champ defends his WBO belt against Shakur Stevenson on Saturday at Madison Square Garden, with Sr playing the role of both father and trainer.
The combustible relationship has hit the headlines a couple of times – but both ended in iconic wins.
In the build-up to the 2020 lightweight win over Vasily Lomachenko, Lopez broke down and cried over the paternal power struggle affecting him in and outside of the ring.
But in 2023, in the middle of his masterful win over Josh Taylor, Jr told his dad ‘I love you’ and they kissed.
The relationship will once again be tested, against the 24-0 three-weight champ, but Lopez believes that blood and biology will always overrule boxing belts.
“This is what we are,” he told SunSport. “Authentic.
“To tell him I love him in the middle of a fight – and for him to kiss me on my forehead – it’s a sincere moment right there to look at.
“But that’s the power of our love.
“It’s the power of our connection and also me understanding that I wouldn’t be who I am without my old man.
“Some people try to make you forget where you came from but I won’t, I came from my father’s ball sack, his nut sack!”
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Rather than ever sack his father from his training team, he would bolster the ranks with an additional coach and make sure the most important relationship in his life gets an extra layer of protection.
He explained: “The first step to anyone being good at what they do and being great at it is you have to have someone believe in you.
Teofimo Lopez vs Shakur Stevenson – all the info
The biggest fight of the year so far!
Teofimo Lopez will defend his WBO super-lightweight belt against Shakur Stevenson THIS WEEKEND.
Lopez is one of boxing’s form fighters and will make the fifth defence of his title against superstar Stevenson, who is bidding to win a title in a fourth weight class.
The mega-fight takes place on Saturday night in what will be a packed Madison Square Garden.
As well as the mouth-watering main event, there will be two other world title fights, with Carlos Adames taking on Austin Williams for the WBC middleweight title and Bruce Carrington facing Carlos Manriquez for the WBC featherweight title.
Budding superstar Keyshawn Davis is also in action, as is heavyweight contender Jarrell Miller.
WATCH LOPEZ VS STEVENSON ONLY ON DAZN
Here’s everything you need to know for The Ring 6…
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“My dad did that, he did a great job on that and he’s still doing it. So I’m, I’m grateful to have him there.
“I’m thankful to have him in the corner with me and for us to be a dynamic duo. That’s what we are, father and son.
“If you have a problem with your father as your trainer, just add one more trainer.
“Just add to it. That’s all, you’ve just got to add to it. You don’t have to take anything away.”
The Home of Boxing in 2026
There’s a massive year of boxing ahead!
It’s shaping up to be a blockbuster year of action inside the boxing ring.
Tyson Fury is expected to make his return, Conor Benn is closing in on a world title shot and Fabio Wardley will defend his newly won heavyweight crown.
Canelo Alvarez will be hoping to return after his defeat to Terence Crawford and heavyweight king Oleksandr Usyk will also need to defend his straps.
Derek Chisora could fight for the 50th and final time and Daniel Dubois is also on the comeback trail.
A whole bunch of British stars could also take a leap into superstardom, with the likes of Moses Itauma, Hamzah Sheeraz and Adam Azim ready to join the very top of the sport.
Up first we have a massive fight with Stateside superstars Shakur Stevenson and Teofimo Lopez meeting later this month in Madison Square Garden.
Here’s all the big fights coming up…
January
- Sat 24 – Raymond Muratalla vs Andy Cruz – IBF lightweight title – DAZN
- Sat 31 – Teofimo Lopez vs Shakur Stevenson – WBO super-lightweight title – DAZN PPV
- Sat 31 – Bakhram Murtazaliev vs Josh Kelly – IBF super-welterweight title – DAZN
- Sat 31 – Francesca Hennessy vs Ellie Bouttell – BBC2
February
- Sat 7 – Nick Ball vs Brandon Figueroa – WBA featherweight title – DAZN
- Sat 21 – Ryan Garcia vs Mario Barrios – WBC welterweight title – DAZN PPV
- Sat 21 – Leigh Wood vs Josh Warrington – DAZN
- Sun 22 – Claressa Shields vs Franchon Crews-Dezurn – heavyweight unification – DAZN
- Sat 28 – Emanuel Navarrete vs Eduardo Nunez – super-featherweight unification – DAZN
March
