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Teofimo Lopez questions Arnold Barboza's credentials ahead of Times Square showdown
Arnold Barboza Jr. is undefeated and claimed the WBO Interim super lightweight title last month, but that has not been enough to impress Teofimo Lopez.
The pair will square off May 2 in Times Square as part of the recently announced The Ring's Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves card, with each man bringing silverware into the bout.
Lopez has held the full WBO title since defeating Josh Taylor in June 2023 and is a former unified champion in the division.
Now, he says that he has not stepped into the ring with Barboza before now because the California native was not worthy of it until now.
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"I'm just focused on big fights," Lopez said at the fight's kick off press conference in New York City on Tuesday.
"I don't think Barboza is that type but His Excellency [Turki Alalsikh] asked for the fight, they think it'll be a great fight for this card."
While New York City native Lopez brushed off his opponent's credentials, he admitted that Barboza is a "strong fighter" who can put on a good bout.
However, the 27-year-old wondered why Barboza took so long to get his hands on a world title belt despite never being beaten.
"I think stylistically he's a strong fighter," Lopez said. "He's 32-0, he's just got an interim world title.
"At 15 fights, I got my first world title. I won it at Madison Square Garden and then became [unified] at 16 fights. And I'm only 27. How old [are] you?"
For Barboza, Lopez's words ring hollow as he has faced Jose Ramirez and Jack Catterall in back-to-back contests, and he's now set to take on Lopez himself.
The California-born Barboza said his ability to step up to some of the biggest names at super lightweight makes him a worthy opponent.
"I'm fighting three of the top five guys in a seven-month span," Barboza said.
"You call me an old school fighter, I'm fighting in a seven-month span the top three guys in the division."
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