Teofimo Lopez has vacated his light-welterweight world title less than a week after winning the belt by beating Josh Taylor.
Lopez, 25, announced his retirement after handing Taylor his first professional loss when the pair fought in New York last weekend. The American became a two-weight world champion by capturing Taylor's WBO belt and his retirement was questioned by many fans, but Lopez has proved he is serious about hanging up his gloves by opting to give up his newly-acclaimed belt.
“Just now Teofimo Lopez is texting me that he relinquished his Jr welterweight title," WBO President Paco Valcárcel tweeted. "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.”
