Tim Bradley Explains Teofimo Lopez’s “Energy Play” vs. Devin Haney

Tim Bradley says Teofimo Lopez’s choice to tug out of the negotiations with Devin Haney for August sixteenth is a “energy play.” He says Teofimo (22-1, 13 KOs) famous the $20 million that Ryan Garcia reportedly bought for his struggle towards Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero on Might 2nd, and he wasn’t going to comply with a measly $11 million to struggle Haney on August sixteenth.

(Credit score: Geoffrey Knott/Matchroom)

Lopez’s Energy Play Defined

Tim says Teofimo feels that he’s executed extra throughout his profession than Kingry, capturing two division world titles, beating Vasily Lomachenko, and Josh Taylor. So, Lopez needs what’s coming to him, which is identical “astronomical” cash that he would have gotten for a struggle towards Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis for a better struggle towards Haney.

If Garcia is getting $20 million to struggle Rolly, he needs comparable dough to struggle Haney. So, Teofimo is holding out for that quantity or extra for the Devin conflict.

“Who within the hell is terrified of Devin Haney after that final efficiency? The person is scared to get hit. The person doesn’t wish to get touched,” stated Tim Bradley on social media about Teofimo Lopez selecting to not struggle Devin Haney. “That’s simple work.”

Lopez is unquestionably not afraid of Haney. He is aware of he has nothing to concern preventing a light-weight puncher, who Bradley feels has PTSD from his loss to Ryan Garcia final 12 months. However as Tim says, it’s an influence play on Teofimo’s half. He’s not going to struggle Haney except he will get the identical type of dought that he would have gotten by preventing Jaron Ennis.

Why Teofimo Gained’t Struggle Haney

“Teofimo Lopez, are you able to name it a duck? You may name it a duck. This may very well be an influence play. Right here’s why. Teofimo Lopez needed to struggle Boots. Why did he wish to struggle Boots? As a result of there was more cash on the desk. That’s why. Possibly he thought he may beat him. Possibly not,” stated Tim.

No, it’s not a duck that Teofimo is doing by selecting to not struggle Haney. He needs the identical amount of cash that he was going to get for preventing Ennis. He’s additionally doubtless not completely satisfied that Ryan Garcia bought $20 million for a struggle towards Rolly Romero final Might. In accordance with Bradley, Lopez would have obtained $11 million to struggle Haney.

“I believed he had probability. Nonetheless, Boots didn’t take the bait. He didn’t need the struggle. Boots goes to 154. That’s my opinion. Or Boots could even need Brian Norman Jr. I believe that got here out of his mouth. He needs Brian Norman Jr. goes to Japan and knocks that man [Jin Sasaki] out as a result of he higher knock that man out. That’s simple work,” stated Bradley.

Ennis doesn’t wish to struggle Teofimo as a result of it’s not one which does something for his profession. He needs belts, and he is aware of the Teo struggle would simply be for cash to assist out the needy, money-hungry Brooklyn native. He’s cashing out, in different phrases. It’s not sporting, and Ennis isn’t on the stage of his profession the place he’s turn into grasping and bought gold fever like Tofimo.

Ennis Struggle Cash vs. Haney

“So, he [Lopez] was going to receives a commission more cash. He was going to get a shot on the Ring belt. He was keen to go as much as 147 for that. Completely. However it was positively for more cash. I heard it was astronomical cash,” stated Tim in regards to the cash Lopez would have gotten if he had fought Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis.

When Boots stated he didn’t wish to struggle Teofimo, that left him able the place he was caught with Haney. He’s not a fighter that brings in PPV buys, and he was coming off a horrible efficiency towards Jose Ramorez on Might 2nd. Why would Turki wish to pay Teofimo the identical amount of cash preventing Haney as what he would have gotten preventing Boots Ennis?

“So, then Turki says, ‘No, uh ah. I need you to struggle Haney. That’s what I need you to face, however I’m going to pay you much less cash. I’m going to pay you 11 [million].’ I don’t know. I heard it was $11 million for Haney. ‘Nah, uh ah, that’s not sufficient’ for Teofimo Lopez,” stated Bradley.

Teofimo is evaluating himself to what Ryan bought, and desires comparable pay primarily based on having executed extra. Of the fighters that Lopez has overwhelmed, solely considered one of them was well-liked: Vasily Lomachenko. Lopez has seemed poor in fights towards Arnold Barboza Jr, Sandor Martin, Steve Claggett, George Kambosos Jr, and Jamaine Ortiz.

Boxing’s Energy Play Dynamics

“That is most likely the rationale why. What Teofimo Lopez has executed on this recreation in a brief time frame. Referred to as his shot and beat Lomachenko. Referred to as his shot and beat [Josh] Taylor. He feels he’s executed lots within the sport,” stated Bradley. “Then, you check out Ryan Garcia. A social media darling.”

Teofimo has executed extra within the sport, however that’s not what attracts the informal boxing fan. They don’t comply with the game carefully sufficient to know who has received titles. They care about leisure, hype, communication, charisma, and appears. Ryan has bought Teo beat in each a type of areas. Therefore, he was paid extra for his struggle againt Rolly than what was supplied to Teofimo for a struggle towards Haney.

“Thousands and thousands of subscribers. Thousands and thousands of subs. Thousands and thousands of viewership. The man is sizzling. He’s a sizzling commodity. He ain’t received a world championship in any respect. However he will get paid $20 million to face Rolly Romero. I do know that was for a world championship [WBA ‘regular’ welterweight title], however he nonetheless misplaced. I do know Ryan’s hand is harm. No matter excuse they wish to make,” stated Tim.

Turki paid Ryan Garcia all that cash as a result of he’s bought an enormous social media profile with 12 million Instagram followers. That’s not even counting his X followers, and his means to create curiosity for his occasions throughout interviews.

Teofimo can’t try this. He doesn’t have the followers, and his Brooklynese jibberish is troublesome for individuals from different components of the U.S to know or relate to. He comes throughout as talking a unique language. Everybody understands Ryan, and he doesn’t placed on a false entrance of performing like a tricky man, not like Teo.

Teofimo: Extra Than Ryan?

“He couldn’t move on that bag no matter successful that struggle or not. He couldn’t move on that, however he’s getting paid $20 million. That’s moreover the purpose. So, Teo has executed much more within the sport, and he feels, ‘I deserve more cash than that [$11 million for Haney].’ So, he is aware of there’s more cash on the desk. He understands there’s more cash. So, what he’s doing, I believe, he’s standing his floor,” stated Bradley.

If Teofimo is standing his floor, hoping to get the identical type of cash that Ryan Garcia bought to struggle Rolly Romero, he could wind up with nothing. He clearly is hoping that Turki will bump up the pay, however he could not. The Teofimo-Haney struggle isn’t one which many followers are occupied with, given the best way each fighters underperformed on the Occasions Sq. card on Might 2nd.