Teofimo Lopez gives sure-fire sign he has retired from boxing by relinquishing his WBO world title

Teofimo Lopez has officially vacated the WBO light-welterweight title just days after winning it against Josh Taylor as he doubles down on claims that he is walking away from the sport for good.

The former two-weight world champion has gone step further than Tyson Fury did during his brief retirement stint last year following a points victory over Dillian Whyte.

Despite assuring fans that he would never box again, Fury refused to relinquish his WBC heavyweight crown and went on to return to the squared circle in December.

But Lopez has laid down a serious statement of intent by giving up the WBO title.

‘Just now Teofimo Lopez is texting me that he relinquished his Jr welterweight title,’ WBO President Paco Valcarcel tweeted on Thursday.

Tyson Fury briefly retired from boxing last year but never gave up his WBC heavyweight crown

WBO president President Paco Valcarcel confirmed Lopez’s decision via Twitter on Thursday

‘We should respect his decision. If he comes back, WBO doors will be always open for him.’ 

Lopez responded to the statement by writing: ‘Thank you everyone for making the greatest moments in my career a great one! 

‘I am forever grateful for all of the sanctioning bodies in boxing for showing me I can and am more than boxing! What a career.’

Lopez retires with an impressive 19-1 record in professional boxing, boasting big wins over Richard Commey, Vasiliy Lomachenko and Taylor.

The sole defeat of his stint in the paid ranks came in November 2021 when he was narrowly beaten on points by Aussie brawler George Kambosos Jr in an exciting nip and tuck affair.

Over the course of seven years as a professional, Lopez won three out of the four major sanctioning body belts at lightweight (IBF, WBA ‘super’ and WBO) as well as the WBO strap at light-welterweight.