Canelo's trainer Eddy Reynoso faces a tough challenge rejuvenating Teofimo Lopez

Teofimo Lopez is training with Team Canelo and staying sharp for a potential unification bout against IBF light welterweight champion Richardson Hitchins. That fight might not end well for ‘The Takeover’ Lopez if he goes through with it.

Hitchins is like a combination of Shakur Stevenson, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Subriel Matias. He can do it all and he is so hard to hit. I don’t see this ending well for Teofimo.

Time machine required

Lopez says he feels “Rejuvenated,” but he will need a time machine for that to happen. He hasn’t looked good in so many years that it’s impossible to take him at face value. He’s an old 27-year-old, and it’s hard to believe he’s not in his late 30s considering how bad he’s looked since 2021.

Teo is still good talk and can get fans excited about his fights in 2025, but as far as winning any of them, it won’t happen unless he’s matched against weak opposition. He’s become that kind of fighter — an Adrien Broner type who can still talk but can’t fight a candy.

Canelo’s trainer, Eddy Reynoso, will have to be a magician to rejuvenate Teofimo and bring him back to what he was years ago.

If Teo goes 0-2 in his 2025 fights, Turki Al-Sheikh may have a case of buyer’s remorse for signing him to a three-fight contract. If you looked at Teofimo’s matches since 2021, you can’t expect much from him other than losses and poor performances. Hardcore boxing fans are well aware that Teo is on the downside of his career and he is not returning to be the fighter he once was.

Claggett disaster

Teo looked like he had been sprung after his last fight against journeyman Steve Claggett last July and was beaten in one hell of a poor performance.

You can give Lopez a break for looking awful against Jamaine Ortiz, Sandor Martin, George Kambosos and Pedro Campa because they are decent fighters. But there’s no excuse for Teo fighting Claggett and having almost closed both eyes due to the swelling.

Lopez’s three-fight schedule

Richardson Hitchins
Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis
The final in February 2026

If Teofimo loses to Boots in October, his fight in February will be against Ryan Garcia vs. Devin Haney the 2 loser.

The loser’s bracket beckons

It’s likely that Lopez will end up in the loser’s bracket, ready to skidrow fighting Haney. It’s a winnable fight for Teofimo, but only because Haney can’t take a punch.

WBO 140-lb champion Tefoimo (21-1, 13 KOs) hopes to get off to a good start for 2025 by fighting unbeaten Hitchins (19-0, 7 KOs) and then IBF 147-lb champion Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis in Oc

WBO 140-lb champion Teo is a good fundamental champion, but he is not the fighter he once was five years ago. He may never have been a great talent to begin with, but he has gone downhill since 2020.

Three games, three losses?

“We just execute and take over. It’s been a great year for me. I feel rejuvenated. These are exciting fights that we look forward to making and taking over,” Teofimo Lopez told Fight Hub TV about his plans to fight a unification bout against Richardson Hitchins, then Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, in October.

“I’m not fighting until early summer. I want to play business this year. I want to make the right deals. Richardson Hitchins, Jaron Ennis and then the final. I fight a champion and then the big fight.

“He just needs to let go of his pride and ego. Just play business,” Teofimo said when asked if we want to see him and Gervonta Davis fight. If you really want to fight us, this is how we’ll make it happen.”