Teofimo Lopez ‘almost died’ making weight for George Kambosos defeat, claims promoter Bob Arum

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Teofimo Lopez 'almost died' making weight for George Kambosos defeat, claims promoter Bob Arum

Veteran American boxing promoter Bob Arum has made a sensational claim that Teofimo Lopez ‘nearly died’ while slashing 135 pounds to fight Jorge Kambosos last year.

Lopez was beaten on points by the Combosos in a shocking defeat at Madison Square Garden in November, leaving Lopez battered and covered in blood.

Lopez shredded 135lbs to fight Combosos, but 'nearly died' in the process

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Lopez shredded 135lbs to fight Combosos, but ‘nearly died’ in the processcredit: getty
Lopez was outpointed by the Cambosos in a major upset at Madison Square Garden

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Lopez was outpointed by the Cambosos in a major upset at Madison Square Gardencredit: getty

And Arum has since revealed that the result of Lopez dropping pounds from a lighter welterweight to a lighter weight could be ‘fatal’.

He told FightHip: “First we want to make him healthy. He should never have fought at 135.” [lbs] Against combos.

“He was almost a fatality. He almost died because of the way he lost weight.

“It’s no joke. I think he’ll be fine at 140 [lbs], He has some other physical problems that we are working on now and taking care of him.

“Once those problems are resolved, we will look for an opponent and bring him back in the ring.”

And to avoid the health scare again, Lopez will switch back to light welterweight the next time she enters the ring.

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But as Arum pointed out, Lopez is currently experiencing ‘physical problems’ – and so there is no date in the diary for her next encounter.

Those problems could be a dangerous chest condition discovered after the loss of the combos.

Trying to gain weight for the fight not only could have killed Lopez, but one doctor even claimed that the condition – pneumomediastinum – could be fatal.

It involves having air in the space between the chest and the lungs, and was only diagnosed after Lopez’s defeat.

As a result, Lopez could be out for the time being, although he could return to the ring sometime this year.

The 24-year-old had previously robbed the prospect of an undisputed clash against Scottish light-welterweight world champion Josh Taylor.

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