Conor McGregor praises 'legendary' Teofimo Lopez as boxer makes U-turn over retirement claim

Conor McGregor paid tribute to Teofimo Lopez, calling the new WBO super lightweight champion “legendary” on social media. Lopez was the underdog going into his fight with Josh Taylor this weekend in New York, having put in a middling performance against Sandor Martin in his last appearance in the ring.

Ad Taylor himself had underwhelmed in his most recent fight, when he scraped a points win over Jack Catterall, before suffering an injury that put paid to a rematch against the Englishman. BoxingMayweather fight against John Gotti III ends in mass brawl12 HOURS AGO The Scot appeared to be at his intimidating best in the build-up to the fight, but it was the 25-year-old New Yorker who put on a show, despite what appeared to be troubling efforts in his own press duties beforehand.

He now boasts a title at 140lbs, having made his name as unified lightweight champion when he deposed Ukrainian champion Vasiliy Lomachenko in 2019. McGregor has his own experience in the ring after being Floyd Mayweather’s final professional opponent, with “Money” ending on a 50-0 unbeaten streak before setting his sights on a string of exhibition match-ups.

The Irish former UFC champion is recovering from breaking his leg in July 2021 against Dustin Poirier, and is in training for an expected return against Michael Chandler. Taking to Instagram he wrote of Lopez: “Legendary! Congrats on an amazing performance.” In the aftermath of the win, Lopez had suggested he would retire from the sport, but later admitted that he might reconsider his options if he could land a high-profile fight.

He could take on Ryan Garcia or Gervonta “Tank” Davis if he wanted the biggest names in the division. Boxing‘No excuses’ — Josh Taylor loses WBO super-lightweight