Arnold Barboza Offers To Handle Teofimo Lopez Over Disloyalty

Arnold Barboza is hurling fighting words at Teofimo Lopez.

Lopez is the reigning WBA, IBF, WBO, The Ring, and WBC (Franchise) Lightweight Champion. He’s scheduled to take on George Kambosos on June 5. He’ll be competing under the Triller banner as he couldn’t come to terms with Top Rank Boxing.

During an interview with BoxingScene.com, Barboza made it clear that he feels Lopez has been disloyal to Top Rank.

“[Lopez] is acting up and if Top Rank wants me to fight him for being disloyal just throw me a few extra dollars and I will f— him up. He is disloyal and thinks he is just going to come here and fight for a title without putting work in. He put in work against 135 pounders but not here at 140. He beat a small lightweight in Loma but he hasn’t done anything at this weight. Let me welcome him to the division. I am a top guy in the division. If Top Rank wants me to teach him a lesson I will do it.”

Barboza competes in the junior-welterweight division. It’s clear that he caught wind of Lopez’s plan to challenge the winner of the undisputed title fight between Jose Ramirez and Josh Taylor, which is scheduled for May 22.

Barboza isn’t far off from a major title opportunity. He is ranked number three in the WBO Junior-Welterweight rankings. He’s also number four in the WBC rankings and has taken the fourth spot in The Ring rankings.