Teofimo Lopez Slaps Arnold Barboza Jr During Heated Face-Off, Dubs Himself The 'Giant Slayer'
Mar 10, 2025
2 min read
Boxing fans don't have to wait until May 2 to see Teofimo Lopez and Arnold Barboza Jr put their hands on each other as they were given a little taster at the second press conference in Los Angeles today. Lopez (21-1, 13 KOs) and Barboza Jr (32-0, 11 KO...
Boxing fans don't have to wait until May 2 to see Teofimo Lopez and Arnold Barboza Jr put their hands on each other as they were given a little taster at the second press conference in Los Angeles today.
Lopez (21-1, 13 KOs) and Barboza Jr (32-0, 11 KOs) faced off for the second time in a week to promote their spring fight, which is set to open a three-fight card headlined by Ryan Garcia vs Rolando Romero.
Ring Magazine, in association with SNK Games, creators of the video game Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves, will present the event, which is set to take place in Times Square in New York City.
The build-up between Lopez, The Ring and WBO 140-pound champion and Barboza Jr, the WBO 'interim' champion at junior-welterweight has been spicy so far, with both men trading insults on social media and in person.
But today, things were taken to another level when Lopez slapped Barboza Jr in the face after their stare-off.
The pair came together in front of the cameras after the presser concluded, and Barboza Jr made the first move by removing the hat Lopez had on his head.
In response, the Brooklyn-born brawler directed a slap in Barboza Jr's direction, connecting with the tip of his fingers; his Long Beach rival just about dodging the worst of it.
During the presser, Lopez had a lot to say.
"I couldn't care less what Arnold has to say," he said. "I'm the giant slayer, we slay every giant they talk about, you fake, they got to lie all the time, you can't even believe your own lies.
"I haven't even hit my prime yet, I'm 27. I got less fights than this man and I got more world titles than him. How old is Arnold? Put the odds against me, and see what happens."
Barboza was also in a fiery mood, and promised the world that Lopez would be his easiest fight yet.
"You ain't s--t, I'm gonna beat the f--k out of you," he added.
"This is gonna be my easiest fight, he thinks he's something special, he's been carried by Top Rank, they don't even wanna be here."
Barboza Jr also made comment on Lopez's training situation. The former world lightweight champion will be trained by Canelo Alvarez's long-time trainer Eddy Reynoso in the lead-up to May 2.
"Teo gonna get his a-- beat no matter where he trains," Barboza Jr said. "You suck. I'm coming out victorious, he isn't going to be the same after this."
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