Teófimo López


Teófimo Andrés López Rivera is a Honduran-American professional boxer who has held the IBF lightweight title since 2019. He competed in the men's lightweight event at the 2016 Summer Olympics, representing Honduras, where he was defeated in the first round by eventual silver medalist Sofiane Oumiha. He is known for his punching power and size within the lightweight division.

Early life

Lopez was born on July 30, 1997 in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Honduran immigrants and grew up in Davie, Florida. An active sportsman since a young age, boxing came to him naturally. His father, Teofimo Lopez Sr., who is also his trainer is said to have started training him since the age of 6.

Amateur career

Lopez won the U.S. Olympic Trials but Carlos Balderas had already secured the United States' sole lightweight entry into the tournament as AIBA's World Series of Boxing champion, so Lopez was aware entering the trials that at best he could only qualify as an alternate for Balderas. Lopez was able to qualify for the Honduran team, where his parents are from, and reached the finals of the Olympic qualifying tournament for the Americas to earn his place in Rio. Lopez also won the 2015 National Golden Gloves. López competed in the men's lightweight event at the 2016 Summer Olympics representing Honduras, where he was defeated in the tournament by eventual silver medalist Sofiane Oumiha.

Professional career

López signed with Top Rank in October 2016, and made his debut on the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao vs. Jessie Vargas fight in November of the same year. He announced himself to the world stage in December 2018, by beating veteran Mason Menard via a knockout of the year candidate.
In his next fight, Lopez, already ranked #9 by the WBA, #11 by the WBC and #10 by the WBO, faced another boxing veteran in Diego Magdaleno, another fight that ended in a brutal knockout for the Honduran. He attracted some controversy after his disrespectful celebration with Magdaleno still down on the canvas.
On July 19, 2019, Lopez who was ranked #4 by the IBF at the time, fought undefeated Japanese boxer Masayoshi Nakatani, who was ranked #3 by the IBF in a final eliminator for the IBF World Lightweight title. He won the fight by unanimous decision and went on to challenge IBF titlist Richard Commey. Lopez won the IBF title in spectacular fashion after connecting on Commey with a big right hand, and finishing him with a second round TKO.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
15Win15–0 Richard CommeyTKO2, 1:13Dec 14, 2019 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.Won IBF lightweight title
14Win14–0 Masayoshi NakataniUD12Jul 19, 2019 MGM National Harbor, Oxon Hill, Maryland, U.S.
13Win13–0 Edis TatliKO5, 1:32Apr 20, 2019 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.Retained NABF lightweight title
12Win12–0 Diego MagdalenoKO7, 1:08Feb 2, 2019 The Ford Center at The Star, Frisco, Texas, U.S.Retained NABF lightweight title;
Won vacant NABA and USBA lightweight titles
11Win11–0 Mason MenardKO1, 0:44Dec 8, 2018 Hulu Theater, New York City, New York, U.S.Won vacant NABF lightweight title
10Win10–0 William SilvaTKO6, 0:15Jul 14, 2018 Lakefront Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.Won vacant WBC Continental Americas lightweight title
9Win9–0 Vitor Jones FreitasKO1, 1:04May 12, 2018 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
8Win8–0 Juan Pablo SanchezUD6Feb 3, 2018 American Bank Center, Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S.
7Win7–0 Josh RossTKO2, 1:57Oct 13, 2017 A La Carte Event Pavilion, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
6Win6–0 Christian Santibanez6Jul 7, 2017 A La Carte Event Pavilion, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
5Win5–0 Ronald RivasKO2, 2:21May 20, 2017 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
4Win4–0 Jorge Luis MunguiaTKO2, 0:48Apr 21, 2017 Osceola Heritage Center, Kissimmee, Florida, U.S.
3Win3–0 Daniel BastienKO2, 0:39Mar 17, 2017 The Theater at Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
2Win2–0 Francisco Medel4, 0:58Feb 24, 2017 Tony Rosa Community Center, Palm Bay, Florida, U.S.
1Win1–0 Ishwar Siqueiros2, 2:03Nov 5, 2016 Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.