TMZSports.com
There may be just as many eyes on the crowd as on the ring when Teofimo Lopez steps into the squared circle this weekend, ’cause the former unified champ tells us some of the biggest stars in the world are attending his fight.
“I’ve been contacting everybody to let everyone know honestly we’re gonna have Odell Beckham Jr. at the fight, we’re gonna have Akon, Lil Wayne, I’ve been contacting everyone tryna have everyone come and support,” 25-year-old Lopez tells TMZ Sports.
“It’s all love and support at the end of the day and that’s the type of man I am. I wanna let people know, I wanna show that I am that type of fighter, I am that guy. I’m the man of the hour, the man with the power, the man too sweet to be sour.”
Lopez, who beat pound-for-pound king Vasyl Lomachenko in October 2020, snatching his three belts, lost to George Kambosos Jr. in November 2021. It was the first loss of his career.
It’ll be the first time Lopez has been back in a ring for a sanctioned fight following the loss … and his opponent, Pedro Campa, is tough. The 30-year-old fighter has a 34-1-1 record with 23 knockouts.
Despite a tough challenger, Teofimo says he made changes to his team following the L, and he’s ready to go.
“We had to cut a lot of people and bring some new people in just so we can what’s the different environment that I need. My team now, it feels so more as a team, as a unit, as it should be,” Lopez says.
And, Teo feels awesome.
“I’m feeling the greatest right now. What else can I say? Preparation went really well, push myself to the limits, man, to greater heights, and just seeing how much I can really handle. I think that overall it’s been amazing.”
In addition to the stars that’ll be in the building, Oscar De La Hoya will also be in the building. But, this is a business trip for the legendary boxer. His fighter, Ryan Garcia, is a possible opponent for Lopez.
That’s why Teofimo says he extended an invite to The Golden Boy.
“I actually invited Oscar De La Hoya a couple weeks before he decided to make that announcement so it’s been on his mind,” Lopez said, referencing ODLH telling the media he was going to scout TL.
But, Lopez isn’t convinced Ryan actually wants to fight.
“If you’re gonna call me out, better keep that same energy ’cause after Saturday night, I don’t want them to make some excuse. If you’re gonna talk about it, be about it. I’ve seen Ryan Garcia call out so many fighters and yet, has fought one of them. I don’t believe anything until it’s on contract and it’s on paper.”
Teofimo’s climb back to the top starts Saturday night in Las Vegas.