Teofimo Lopez Supports Turki Alalshikh’s Call: Why Fighters Must Prioritize Action Over Running In Riyadh Season Events

Teofimo Lopez agrees with Turki Alalshikh’s stance on wanting fighters to throw more punches during his Riyadh Season events. Lopez points out there’s a difference between fighters who box and those who run.

Lopez Agrees With Alalshikh

Teofimo states that Turki wants the fighters who box to throw punches in the middle to have at least some action part of the time. It’s unclear if Alalshikh values that style as well, but fighters who box and move are almost as boring to watch as pure movers.

It’s fine if those types of fighters are buried in the prelims, where fans are not seeing them. For the main cards, it’s vital that only all-action fighters with fan-friendly styles be included, especially if it’s a pay-per-view event.

That means some of the more notable fighters in the sport need to be left off Turki’s future cards if the events are going to be entertaining and meet his requirements. Hardcore fans are aware of who the dull fighters are. There were a couple on the May 2nd Times Square card, and one notable one on the February 22nd event with a hand problem.

“There’s a difference. There’s boxing and then there’s running. I think what he’s really trying to say in those words. He just wants guys to box and throw punches in the middle of it. So, be active,” said Teofimo Lopez to the media about Turki Alalshikh saying he’s no longer willing to fund boxing matches where one fighter isn’t engaging.

What Teofimo is failing to say is that he was a part of the “Tom and Jerry” non-engaging runners that spoiled the Times Square event last May. The Shakur-esque style that Teo used in that fight was an exact copy of Shakur Stevenson’s style. It was so awful to watch.

Teofimo had the three-step pullback that Shakur uses down pat, like he’d studied it during training camp, and replicated an exact copy for his fight against Arnold Barboza Jr. Devin Haney’s performance was by far the most boring, but Teofimo was a close second.

Riyadh Season Entertainment Focus

“You got to be offensive at the same time. You can’t win fights by just moving around and having a low punch count. The same thing that happened with [William] Scull against Canelo. That’s not going to please the people, and that’s not going to show his country, his government, and his prince and King, like this is why we’re here to support the sport. So, it’s our part and our duty to do what he would like,” said Lopez.

If I were Turki, I’d have been seething at watching the running Lopez and Haney did. These guys were paid gazillions and didn’t provide value for all that money. I’m surprised Turki didn’t scratch them off his Riyadh Season list permanently. If Teo and Haney run once, they’ll do it again. How can Alalshikh trust them to put in a good performance?