Teofimo Lopez, Racism, and the Reckoning in Boxing

By Steven X | May 9, 2025

Teofimo Lopez has once again sparked outrage with racist remarks—this time targeting Terence “Bud” Crawford. During an Instagram Live session filmed by his father, Teofimo was captured saying, “Where’s that n***** at?”—not once, but twice. He later denied using the slur, claiming he had said “liquor.”

This latest incident adds to the troubling pattern of racism within the sport. The two central figures consistently associated with racially offensive behavior are Ryan Garcia and Teofimo Lopez. To date, neither the WBO nor Top Rank has issued a statement addressing Teofimo’s comments.

Earlier this year, ahead of his fight with Denys Berinchyk on February 25, Keyshawn Davis revealed at a press conference that he had received a basket of bananas outside his hotel room door—a gesture he perceived as racially charged. Not long after, Teofimo posted a video on social media, laughing and eating a banana while watching that very press conference—an act widely interpreted as mocking Davis.

Ryan Garcia’s history of anti-Black rhetoric is well-known within both the boxing community and the broader public. He has never issued a public apology for his statements. His recent defeat to Rolly Romero—a fighter with a Black mother—offered a symbolic moment of justice for those angered by Garcia’s behavior. In the unforgiving world of boxing, sometimes the most effective response to racism is to face it in the ring—and defeat it.

In the midst, Devin Haney remains focused on his goal: a rematch with Ryan Garcia. Haney was dealt a controversial loss last year when Garcia came in overweight and subsequently failed multiple drug tests. Even though Garcia has now lost to Rolly Romero, Haney is still pursuing a second bout. Haney, who recently secured a dominant win over Jose Ramirez at Fatal Fury in Times Square, is the A-side. An agreement for the rematch already exists, brokered by His Excellency Turki Al-Sheikh, Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority.

However, public interest has diminished since Garcia’s poor performance against Rolly. If the rematch takes place, it is tentatively scheduled for October. In the meantime, fans are increasingly calling for Haney to face Rolly Romero, Teofimo Lopez, or even Jaron “Boots” Ennis. The truth is, Haney has options—while Garcia is rapidly running out of them. A rematch with Haney may be Garcia’s only viable path to reviving his career, which now includes two losses and a no-contest due to multiple failed drug tests. For Haney, the rematch offers a chance to settle the score and reclaim his narrative—his “back in blood” moment.

Since neither the WBO nor Top Rank appears willing to hold Teofimo accountable for his racist behavior, it may fall to Haney to do so in the ring. To date, the only figure in boxing to take real action has been WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán, who expelled Garcia from the organization following a series of racist rants during a Twitter (X) Spaces discussion. “We reject any form of discrimination,” Sulaimán said. “I fear for Ryan’s well-being, as he has declined multiple offers of help with mental health and substance abuse.”

Many fans feel Garcia should not be granted a rematch until he earns a legitimate victory. But Haney seems undeterred—he wants the rematch now. The responsibility falls on Garcia to restore his image after being knocked down and thoroughly outclassed by Romero.

Sadly, racism is not new to boxing. The sport has long been a battleground for racial injustice. A look at the career of Jack Johnson—the first Black heavyweight champion—reveals the deep-rooted bigotry he endured. Johnson claimed the title in 1908 by defeating Tommy Burns in Sydney, Australia. Nearly three decades passed before another Black man, Joe Louis, claimed the heavyweight crown by knocking out James J. Braddock in 1937.

At Fatal Fury, Turki Al-Sheikh made a prescient comment: “I don’t like to talk about religion or colors, but if we want to say something, I think boxing would be in a different place if we have [a] Black heavyweight champion. This is what use[d] to be for all of us from the 60s and 70s, living and seeing from the time of Muhammad Ali.”