Should Lopez part ways with his head trainer father as cracks emerge in relationship?

After suffering a defeat in a world super lightweight title fight to Shakur Stevenson in January, Lopez is back challenging for world honours, this time at welterweight. 

He will be going up against WBA welterweight champion Rolando 'Rolly' Romero in Las Vegas, live on DAZN PPV, Ultimate Tier and Prime Video, and Lopez is an early favourite against an opponent who has not fought for 15 months. 

Lopez may be the favourite to claim the belt and become a three-weight world champion, but his loss to Stevenson may have shown a massive flaw within 'The Takeover'. 

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Tensions and accusations build in Romero vs. Lopez Face Off

BUY NOW: Watch Romero vs. Lopez on DAZN PPV & Ultimate Tier

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One common theme which rears its head when Lopez fights is whether his father and head trainer, Teofimo Lopez Sr., is the right man to take him forward in his career. 

Lopez is a talented fighter; he has beaten a number of big names in impressive fashion, including Vasiliy Lomachenko and Josh Taylor, but often loses fights which he is expected to win; a prime example was against George Kambosos Jr. in 2021. 

In a recent episode of the Mr Verzace podcast where Lopez and his father were guests, 'The Takeover' used it as an opportunity to air his grievances with his father when it comes to the loss to Stevenson. 

Lopez blamed his father for the defeat, claiming he was dragging him down in a contest where he was being dominated and not offering the right advice in the corner. 

Ahead of tonight's world title fight, is it time for Lopez to part ways with his father as trainer regardless of the result? 

'It's time to get rid of him' 

The topic of Lopez Sr. continuing to train his son was one debated on the latest episode of Inside the Ring, and it's safe to say LeSean McCoy was pretty clear with his thoughts on the situation. 

"It’s time to get rid of him," McCoy stated. "It’s one thing where your dad supports you and does all these great things in your career; he’s done that."

He then urged Lopez Sr. to make the decision to cease training Teofimo himself and hand him to someone who will guide his career properly.  

"At some point, if my father really loved me, give me to somebody who is going to manage me the right way. 

"He was not mentally right for that fight with Shakur. If you’re listening to the corner, what the hell were you telling me? 

"If you really want to help me out, let me go."

Rosado praises Lopez expressing his feelings towards father

Former world title challenger Gabriel Rosado, on the other hand, had a more positive spin on the supposed rift. 

He believes it was a good move by Lopez and his father to publicly air their grievances, and hopes Lopez Sr. has taken on board what was said. 

"I think it was a healthy conversation they were having, even though the father was not admitting it," Rosado said.

"One thing about boxing, it’s life or death in that ring. 

"I think Teo needs his father; I think that’s why he released what he was feeling because he wants his dad to wake up."

Should Lopez part ways with his father and trainer? 

The relationship between Lopez and his father-trainer is a fascinating one, but the fact Lopez criticised him in public will have done the world of good. 

It will have served as a wake-up call, and if Lopez loses to Romero on Saturday night, then he will have no choice but to change trainers. 

However, Lopez Sr. should use his son's words as motivation, and if the going gets tough against Romero, encourage his fighter, offer areas to improve, and just maybe that will make the difference. 

While Lopez should stick with his father as trainer for now, there is no reason why he should not look for change if it all goes wrong against Romero and the blame lies at the feet of Lopez Sr.

Romero vs. Lopez - Watch on DAZN PPV & Prime Video

The WBA welterweight title is on the line as Rolly Romero and Teofimo Lopez face off this Saturday, August 22, live on DAZN.

Buy as a one-off PPV, via DAZN on Prime Video, or included along with Moses vs. Hrgovic (Aug 29) and Canelo vs. Mbilli (Oct 31) PPVs with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription.

For more information, pricing and to buy, click here .