Teofimo Lopez Jr. has expressed his dissatisfaction with his current earnings as a Top Rank fighter, hinting that he may leave the promotional firm in the near future.
Lopez is the hottest property in a scorching lightweight division after his champion vs. champion victory over Vasiliy Lomachenko on Oct. 17 last year cemented him as elite.
However, days before his expected next fight vs. mandatory challenge George Kambosos Jr. goes to purse bids, Lopez had some interesting comments for ESPN journalist Mark Kriegel at Richard Commey's knockout win over Jackson Marinez in Las Vegas.
“I’m looking forward, and I’m moving forward,” Lopez said. “If you can’t meet the terms, then like I said, I’m taking my talents somewhere else.
“Because you got the best fighter in the world on that display. It’s all paid dues. And that’s what we did; we paid our dues. I am your favorite fighter’s favorite fighter. That sets the tone, and I think that everybody needs to realize that.
"I am the truth. I am the best in the division. I can’t take it or leave it no more. It’s more so about it’s a takeover. I earned it. It’s not something that’s a given. You’ve gotta earn it."
Floyd Mayweather, the retired 50-0 welterweight great, famously bought himself out of his deal with Top Rank for $750,000 in 2006. He proceeded to prove it a worthwhile investment by raking in eight or nine figures per fight for the remainder of his career.
Mayweather also recently referred to his signing with Bob Arum's promotion in the first place as "the biggest mistake I made in my career", though it remains to be seen exactly how far Teofimo can fly if he also decides to go it alone.
With fellow undefeated lightweights such as Kambosos, Ryan Garcia, Gervonta 'Tank' Davis and Devin Haney out there, as well as the possibility of moving up to super-lightweight to challenge the winner of the Josh Taylor vs. Jose Ramirez unification, Lopez certainly isn't short of money-making opportunities.