An unbeaten world champion has sent a scathing message to Teofimo Lopez.
Lopez, known by his moniker ‘The Takeover’, is 23 fights into an impressive professional career where he has captured world titles in two weight classes.
The 27-year-old from Brooklyn currently reigns as the WBO world super-lightweight champion, but previously held the unified WBA, WBO and IBF world lightweight titles between 2019 and 2021 until he was dethroned by George Kambosos Jr in a shock upset. He bounced back in the best way, moving up to beat former undisputed champion Josh Taylor to snatch the belt he holds now.
Lopez made the most recent defence of his WBO crown at Times Square on May 2, defeating mandatory challenger Arnold Barboza Jr via unanimous decision.
Speaking on social media, reigning IBF super-lightweight champion Richardson Hitchins said that he is going to ‘do his best’ to secure a showdown against Lopez next.
“I will do my best to give you guys Hitchins vs Teofimo Lopez next … this a must make fight for the sport of boxing … Unification [with] two highly skilled fighters. I can’t wait to dominate and prove I’m of the faces of the sport of boxing. UNIFICATION TIME!”
I will do my best to give you guys Hitchins vs teo fimo Lopez next this a must make fight for the sport of boxing Unification vs two highly skilled fighters i can’t wait to dominants and prove im of the faces of the sport of boxing UNIFICATION TIME !!!!
— Richardson Hitchins (@HeIsRichardson) July 15, 2025
It is not the first time Hitchins has called for the fight, telling Fight Hub TV before his first defence against Kambosos it should be an easy match-up to make.
“I was hearing talks, me and him was both signed to the same manager so I heard he was telling my manager he’s down to sign the fight. If he ain’t trying to fight Devin Haney, he think it’s sweet over here, he got another thing coming but n***a talk, maybe he’s just talking because I want smoke, I’ve called him right in the ring this ain’t fake, this ain’t no propaganda … I wanna fight, I feel I’m the best.”
Hitchins maid the maiden defence of his IBF crown against Lopez’s former rival on June 14, stopping the Australian with a thunderous body shot in the eighth round of their bout in New York City.
