Teofimo Lopez has revealed why he chose a direct deal with DAZN instead of joining Zuffa Boxing ahead of his move to the welterweight division. The former two-division world champion will face WBA welterweight champion Rolly Romero on August 22 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The fight will be Lopez’s first under his DAZN agreement and his debut at 147 pounds.
Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, produced with Uncrowned and Yahoo Sports, Lopez said the choice came down to the opportunity, financial terms and safeguards in the DAZN agreement. He also explained that Zuffa Boxing’s plan to place him in the Theater at Madison Square Garden did not match his expectations.
Teofimo Lopez Explains Zuffa Boxing Concerns
Lopez said Zuffa Boxing discussed putting him on the Edgar Berlanga-Richardson Hitchins card in New York. However, he did not want to return to a smaller venue after fighting in front of more than 22,000 people at Madison Square Garden.
“How can you go from, you know, the most attendance ever recorded at Madison Square Garden with over 22,000 people in attendance and go back to a small room?”
He said Zuffa Boxing planned to use the Theater at Madison Square Garden rather than the main arena.
“A lot of things didn’t play out the way I wanted to see it, how I envisioned it.”
Lopez also cited concerns involving Zuffa Boxing and boxing’s sanctioning bodies. “And then, you know, the things that occurred with Zuffa with the sanctioning bodies, hearing those things, it’s just a lot of scruffles.”
Why Teofimo Lopez Chose DAZN
Lopez said the DAZN agreement better fits his goal of becoming undisputed at 147 pounds. The welterweight division is now the main target for Teofimo Lopez after his move up from lightweight.
“As long as I keep on winning and continue to strive for Undisputed at 147, you know, this is going to be a no-brainer decision on why we took this deal with DAZN.”
Lopez also pointed to protections built into the DAZN deal. “You know, we get to audit them. We get to do a lot of safety measures just to be safe with anything that ever comes up when it comes to the ALI Act and et cetera, et cetera.”
He added that the DAZN deal was stronger financially.
“DAZN deal was so far better than what it was expected. Respectfully, I just think that when it comes to it, it’s nothing personal, it’s just business.”
DAZN Deal Could Shape Teofimo Lopez’s Welterweight Run
Lopez said name, image and likeness rights, ownership and fight rights were key parts of the DAZN agreement. He believes those terms will become more important as he grows into a bigger name in boxing.
“And the NILs are a main key factor there, you know, the NILs, the ownership, the fight rights, all those things are a huge key factor once you become that one of the biggest, one of the big stars and one of the big names in the sport of boxing.”
The Teofimo Lopez deal also reflects his interest in helping other fighters. He said he wants to use his promotional platform to provide stronger benefits to fighters he eventually signs.
“I’m here to truly, truly, you know, really support and take care of the next generation. I would like to eventually get, you know, I’m going to say health insurance and all these great things to the fighters that I signed.”
The DAZN agreement now gives Lopez a new platform as he begins his welterweight run against Rolly Romero and pursues the undisputed championship.
World Champion Rejects Zuffa Boxing After One Major Detail Changes His Plans