American · Brooklyn, USA · Born 30 July 1997Teófimo López is an American boxer who unified the lightweight title by beating Lomachenko before adding a light-welterweight world title in 2023.
Teófimo Andrés López Rivera was born on 30 July 1997 in Brooklyn, New York, to Honduran immigrant parents; his paternal grandfather was a Spaniard from Ávila who emigrated to Brazil after the Second World War before eventually settling in Honduras. He represented Honduras, his family's homeland, at the 2016 Rio Olympics as an amateur. López turned professional shortly after the Olympics and developed into one of the most explosive punchers in the lightweight division, nicknamed "The Takeover" for his brash confidence and knockout power. He delivered the signature victory of his career in October 2020, dominating previously undefeated pound-for-pound star Vasyl Lomachenko to win the unified lightweight championship in one of the most significant upsets of that year. López lost his unified titles in a surprising 2021 upset to George Kambosos Jr., but rebuilt his career, moving up to light welterweight and winning the WBO title there in 2024, becoming a two-weight world champion. His father and trainer, Teófimo Sr., has remained a constant and often controversial presence throughout his career and public profile. López has continued to compete at the elite level of the 140-pound division, renowned for his power, hand speed, and outspoken personality, and remains one of the most talked-about young American champions of his generation.
Upset unification win over Vasyl Lomachenko in 2020; two-division world champion
How They Played
Power puncher with strong counter-punching ability
Lasting Impact
Youngest boxer to become undisputed lightweight champion in four-belt era
Career Honours
- Ring/BWAA/Sports Illustrated/BoxingScene Fighter of the Year 2020
American Athletes