Teofimo Lopez was risking his life and should have been in a hospital -- rather than a boxing ring -- when he lost his four lightweight belts to George Kambosos last week at Madison Square Garden, according to a doctor who subsequently examined him and reviewed his medical records.
"He could have died, for sure," said Dr. Linda Dahl, an otolaryngologist (ENT) with surgical privileges at three prestigious Manhattan hospitals. "How he breathed, I can't even explain to you. It's like somebody tied a 300-pound set of weights around his chest ... like his neck and chest were in a vise.
According to Lopez's medical records, the 24-year-old former undisputed champion was diagnosed with "pneumomediastinum" with "extensive air in the retropharyngeal space" by emergency room doctors during his post-fight visit to Bellevue Hospital.
The likely cause of the air, according to Dahl and records of physicians who saw Lopez later at New York-Presbyterian Hospital, was a small tear in his esophagus. Lopez -- whose diagnosis was complicated by his long-time asthma and a case of COVID he contracted in June -- began experiencing shortness of breath and swelling in the neck area on Friday, shortly before the weigh-in.
https://www.espn.com/boxing/story/_/id/32785972/doctor-says-teofimo-lopez-lucky-not-dead-boxer-found-fought-air-chest
Teofimo had tweeted he was still in the hospital and in ICU a few days ago and I thought that was a bit odd but this explains it. So fortunate to still be alive and glad he didn't end up with a collapsed lung or even worse. Teofimo did say that he was struggling with Covid for over a month and obviously he's had asthma for his entire life. Just happy he's doing better now as this could have turned into another tragic boxing story.
Regarding the bold text. The fight had been changed and postponed, what, three different times? It went through multiple promotions and networks and was a complete disaster financially for some involved (triller). Hell even Teo was facing financial ruin from that entire fiasco. There was no way anybody was going to pull out or move that final date come hell or high water. Teo could’ve been in a rough spot knowing the fight could not be moved again or risk more public scrutiny and financial losses.
Anyways, Teo did not appear physically affected though only he himself would know. It appeared he was lacking in the boxing department more than the health/physically spectrum.
But if you are dying like the doctor said. If you really “could have died”, I mean that sounds extreme enough to pull out. I would think. We are talking about life and death here in a literal sense.
But you are right, Lopez looked fine. He looked fine and alert all 12 rounds. He looked fine when he was taunting Kambosos after dropping him.
1. Stamina ain't why he lost, not adjusting and loading up is why he lost.
2. If he can use excuses then why can't Loma?
3. He turned off his comments on IG and posted this article, sounds like damage control regardless if it's real or not, it's still an excuse.
Smh.... Clinging to this is not gonna do him any favors cuz it avoids the tactical errors of the fight!
I wouldn't wish a horrible tradegy on anyone but I would like to see someone stick something in someone's lung and see the air and blood spurt out like they do when the fake doctors save people on TV all the time lol
Do you guys think Lopez had a hard time breathing when he was making an ass of himself in the post fight interview and then later doing his usual back flip?
- - Expelling chest hair via ana1 sphinctor just what the doctor ordered.
Well at least now he will know what it feels like to not fight at 100%. Him and his dad called Lomachenko’s shoulder surgery/injury, and subsequent 2nd surgery, excuses. They would not give Lomachenko, who is now healed, a rematch.
Secondly, if you are that sick, speak up, move the fight. Yes, it is true that covid is not an issue just while you have it. Getting over covid in the aftermath, and getting back to optimal physical shape, is really tough. I work out quite well, I am in really good shape, and was when I got covid. Not only did I lose all of my gains due to fatigue and not being able to workout much, it took months to get my strength back even to the point where I can START working out again. When Lopez got covid, I said it can be an issue if he rushes back.
Did you guys see the difference between Povetkin from the 1st Whyte fight to the 2nd? That was clearly two different fighters, two different shapes, two different preparation. Povetkin was not over the covid aftermath going into the rematch. This lead even Whyte’s jabs to buckle Povetkin.
Regardless, if you are sick, call off of work. It’s that simple. Don’t go into a fight at 50%, and also lie to the public that you are going to KO your opponent, when you are actually sick to death. That’s on Lopez.
ehhh...i mean... we both have no way of knowing for sure......butttt...im skeptical and have been on loma...just like i was on manny....not to disrespect them because i have alot of respect for both.....
but loma seemed to be fine in the 2nd half...was able to do what he wanted....i think he was just hesitant in the 1st half....and yeah maybe something had been bothering him leading up to the fight...i assume most 30+ year olds, no matter how dedicated/how good of a diet/ how good their physical conditioning coaches are suffering from some wear and tear and their bodies getting older........i just watched that fight and loma didnt appear to be any distress...especially later....he looked wary of getting popped by a big right is what it looked like to me....just my opinion
Of course some of you guys are so short-minded and think this is some excuse making for the loss...F the loss or the fight, he is fortunate he didn't have bigger health problems. He had a terrible game plan regardless of this but clearly there were a lot of red flags heading into the fight. Like I mentioned in the OP, this could have had a scary ending.
Do you guys think Lopez had a hard time breathing when he was making an ass of himself in the post fight interview and then later doing his usual back flip?
300lbs..sounds like BS to me. There would have been no way he could have competed like he did.
Yeah exactly, ridiculous stuff lol medical professionals are known to exaggerate as well. I’d even say that Teo looked more gassed in the Loma fight while little Loma was beating him up in the second half. He had to find a second wind to finish that 12th strong.
Teo - Kambosos was fought at a frantic pace and Teo looked conditioned, just lacked the defensive IQ. As someone stated already it was Kambosos who appeared to gas and required a second wind.
what a bunch of horse chit. this society is a giant psycho ward. lopez had plenty of stamina right to the last bell. never got tired. it was thromboses that got tired at the end. these simpleton egomaniacs just can take a loss. guys like him and wilder have the mental outlook of the worst 6 year old kid you ever saw
Sure seemed fine when he came out firing on all cylinders that first round until he got caught for being overzealous with no defense. He was also throwing some serious leather in the last rounds as evident with him dropping Kam. Not saying this isn’t true to an extent but Teo looked fine physically, he’s an athletic specimen just lacks the boxing skills.
300lbs..sounds like BS to me. There would have been no way he could have competed like he did.
Well at least now he will know what it feels like to not fight at 100%. Him and his dad called Lomachenko’s shoulder surgery/injury, and subsequent 2nd surgery, excuses. They would not give Lomachenko, who is now healed, a rematch.
Secondly, if you are that sick, speak up, move the fight. Yes, it is true that covid is not an issue just while you have it. Getting over covid in the aftermath, and getting back to optimal physical shape, is really tough. I work out quite well, I am in really good shape, and was when I got covid. Not only did I lose all of my gains due to fatigue and not being able to workout much, it took months to get my strength back even to the point where I can START working out again. When Lopez got covid, I said it can be an issue if he rushes back.
Did you guys see the difference between Povetkin from the 1st Whyte fight to the 2nd? That was clearly two different fighters, two different shapes, two different preparation. Povetkin was not over the covid aftermath going into the rematch. This lead even Whyte’s jabs to buckle Povetkin.
Regardless, if you are sick, call off of work. It’s that simple. Don’t go into a fight at 50%, and also lie to the public that you are going to KO your opponent, when you are actually sick to death. That’s on Lopez.
Regarding the bold text. The fight had been changed and postponed, what, three different times? It went through multiple promotions and networks and was a complete disaster financially for some involved (triller). Hell even Teo was facing financial ruin from that entire fiasco. There was no way anybody was going to pull out or move that final date come hell or high water. Teo could’ve been in a rough spot knowing the fight could not be moved again or risk more public scrutiny and financial losses.
Anyways, Teo did not appear physically affected though only he himself would know. It appeared he was lacking in the boxing department more than the health/physically spectrum.
Sure seemed fine when he came out firing on all cylinders that first round until he got caught for being overzealous with no defense. He was also throwing some serious leather in the last rounds as evident with him dropping Kam. Not saying this isn’t true to an extent but Teo looked fine physically, he’s an athletic specimen just lacks the boxing skills.
Well at least now he will know what it feels like to not fight at 100%. Him and his dad called Lomachenko’s shoulder surgery/injury, and subsequent 2nd surgery, excuses. They would not give Lomachenko, who is now healed, a rematch.
Secondly, if you are that sick, speak up, move the fight. Yes, it is true that covid is not an issue just while you have it. Getting over covid in the aftermath, and getting back to optimal physical shape, is really tough. I work out quite well, I am in really good shape, and was when I got covid. Not only did I lose all of my gains due to fatigue and not being able to workout much, it took months to get my strength back even to the point where I can START working out again. When Lopez got covid, I said it can be an issue if he rushes back.
Did you guys see the difference between Povetkin from the 1st Whyte fight to the 2nd? That was clearly two different fighters, two different shapes, two different preparation. Povetkin was not over the covid aftermath going into the rematch. This lead even Whyte’s jabs to buckle Povetkin.
Regardless, if you are sick, call off of work. It’s that simple. Don’t go into a fight at 50%, and also lie to the public that you are going to KO your opponent, when you are actually sick to death. That’s on Lopez.