The press tour promoting the upcoming fight between Teofimo Lopez and Arnold Barboza Jr. took a dramatic turn in Los Angeles. Following a more composed meeting in New York the previous week, the LA event ended in a physical confrontation. Cowboy hats were thrown, and Lopez slapped Barboza, adding fuel to the already intense rivalry.
This press conference was organized to promote the May 2nd Pay-Per-View event in Times Square, New York, presented by Ring magazine. While Ryan Garcia and Rolando Romero also engaged in heated exchanges, it was the face-off between WBO super-lightweight champion Lopez and his mandatory challenger, Barboza, that truly captivated the audience with their aggressive behavior.
Barboza earned his position as Lopez’s challenger by defeating Jack Catterall in Manchester on February 15th. This split decision victory in the eliminator bout also secured him the Interim title in the 140-pound division.
The tension escalated as insults were traded, with Barboza confidently stating that Lopez would be an easy opponent, even declaring he would “slap the clown around.” During the face-to-face segment, the situation intensified.
Barboza removed Lopez’s cowboy hat, provoking a push from the champion. After a second push and Barboza getting too close, Lopez slapped Barboza across the face.
Oscar De La Hoya, Barboza’s promoter, quickly intervened to separate the fighters as cameras flashed and the crowd reacted with excitement. Barboza attempted to retaliate, but the situation was brought under control. The altercation successfully amplified the anticipation for their upcoming fight.
