Teofimo Lopez has been making headlines lately, but unfortunately, it hasn’t been for his achievements in the ring. Instead, the former unified lightweight champion has found himself at the center of controversy due to his comments and questionable career decisions.

Recently, Lopez sparked outrage when he referred to both Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Terence Crawford as “monkeys,” a comment that many found offensive and unacceptable. These remarks overshadowed any potential focus on his boxing career and raised serious concerns about his judgment outside the ring.

Adding to the confusion, Teofimo has been calling out fighters like Crawford and Jaron “Boots” Ennis—boxers in much higher weight classes than his own. While the ambition is commendable on the surface, these callouts seem unrealistic and almost delusional when considering that Lopez hasn’t been handling business in his own division. He avoided a fight with Devin Haney, failed to pursue a rematch with George Kambosos after losing his belts, and most recently turned down a fight with Subriel Matias, a dangerous and highly respected opponent in his weight class.

It’s puzzling because the fights Lopez is avoiding—against top contenders in his division—are not only his most challenging matchups but also his biggest potential paydays. Many fans, myself included, believe Teofimo is talented enough to take on these challenges and even pull off an upset or two. But it’s becoming increasingly clear that Lopez may not have the same confidence in himself that his fans do.

His last fight against Steve Claggett, a fighter with seven losses, was competitive—a performance far below the expectations for someone of Lopez’s skill level. If he plans to face the best in the sport, he’ll need to perform at a much higher level than what he displayed in that bout.

Teofimo Lopez has undeniable talent and once held the boxing world in the palm of his hand after his stunning victory over Vasiliy Lomachenko. But the way he’s been handling his career lately—both in and out of the ring—raises questions about whether he’s willing to take the risks necessary to regain his status as one of the sport’s elite.

For now, the future of Lopez’s career is uncertain. If he continues to avoid the tough fights and stays embroiled in unnecessary controversies, his career could go downhill fast. But if he chooses to step up and face the best in his division, there’s still time for him to turn things around and remind the world why he was once considered one of boxing’s brightest stars. The choice is his—but time is running out.

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