One day, Teofimo Lopez looks like the most talented man in the sport of boxing. But sometimes, he looks like a man who’s underachieving.

In three of the biggest moments of his career, Lopez (21-1, 13 KOs) showed up and showed out. Against Richard Commey in 2019, many believed it would be the toughest night of his professional life. Two rounds later, however, he was celebrating his knockout win.

On two separate occasions against Vasiliy Lomachenko and Josh Taylor, Lopez was considered a huge underdog but each time, he rose to the occasion, beating them both. In matchups when he was viewed as the A side and favorite, like against Sandor Martin and Jamaine Ortiz, he won a pair of underwhelming and controversial decisions. In the case of George Kambosos, however, he was forced to swallow the first and so far only, loss of his career.

On May 2nd, in Times Square in New York City, Lopez will look to shine when he takes on Arnold Barboza. According to oddsmakers, Lopez should walk away with the win. Richardson Hitchins though, isn’t so sure.

“I think he’s liable to lose, to be honest,” said Hitchins during an interview with Sean Zittel.

Barboza (32-0, 11 KOs) has waited for a world title shot for years and was forced to get here the hard way. Plenty of fighters have done less, but the 33-year-old was given no choice but to knock off two highly ranked contenders in Jose Ramirez and Jack Catterall.

For Hitchins, at least a small part of him is a bit envious of Barboza’s position. Sure he has the IBF title tucked safely under his arm but he was hoping to unify against Lopez. There’s still an outside chance that it could happen next but those odds get slimmer and slimmer with each passing day.

“I think Barboza’s not on my level, I don't believe so but I think if he’s not on his game, he can be a spoiler," continued Hitchins. "I think Barboza’s a solid guy.”