Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing, the promoter of IBF World Welterweight and WBA Super Champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis (USA) — 34 wins (30 KOs), undefeated with 1 no contest — has revealed that negotiations are underway for a title fight against WBO World Super Lightweight Champion Teofimo Lopez (USA), who holds a record of 22 wins (13 KOs) and 1 loss.
Turki Alalshikh, the Saudi Minister overseeing the state-backed “Riyadh Season” project, has expressed interest in hosting the fight in Saudi Arabia, with the targeted timeframe being sometime between September and October.
On April 12 (Japan time April 13), Ennis dominated WBA Regular Champion Eimantas Stanionis (Lithuania) — 15 wins (9 KOs), 1 loss, 1 no contest — at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Ennis forced a retirement after six rounds, absorbing the WBA title. The WBA has since recognized Ennis as the Super Champion.
However, Ennis is obligated by the WBA to face the No. 1 ranked contender in the division, Shakhram Giyasov (Uzbekistan), who remains undefeated with a record of 17 wins (10 KOs), within 120 days of winning the title.
Furthermore, the winner of Ennis vs. Giyasov must then face Rolando Romero (USA), who became the new WBA Regular Welterweight Champion by defeating Ryan Garcia (USA) via 12-round decision on May 2 (Japan time May 3) in Times Square, New York.
To make Lopez’s challenge against Ennis a reality, both Giyasov’s agreement and a special exemption from the WBA are required. Giyasov, who is also signed with Matchroom Boxing, previously agreed to step aside for the Ennis vs. Stanionis bout in exchange for compensation and appeared on the undercard.
Giyasov, who won a silver medal in the 69kg category at the 2016 Rio Olympics and a gold medal at the World Championships the following year, made light work of Franco Maximiliano Ocampo (Argentina, 17 wins, 8 KOs, 3 losses). He scored a knockdown in the first round with a left hook followed by a flurry, and in round four, landed a straight right to the body for a ten-count KO victory.
Eddie Hearn acknowledged the need to negotiate with Giyasov’s team but did not rule out the possibility of Giyasov accepting another step-aside offer. A deal involving compensation and an alternative fight plan may be reached, potentially allowing the WBA to grant an exemption.
In December of last year, Lopez expressed frustration with Top Rank over fight purse issues and publicly sought big-name bouts. Bob Arum later confirmed that negotiations were ongoing with Eddie Hearn to finalize a fight between Lopez and Ennis. A joint ESPN and DAZN pay-per-view event had been planned for March 1 (Japan time March 2) in the U.S., but it ultimately failed to materialize.
On May 2 (Japan time May 3) in New York, Teofimo Lopez defeated WBO interim champion Arnold Barboza Jr. (USA) — 32 wins (11 KOs), 1 loss — by unanimous decision over 12 rounds, successfully unifying the WBO title. It was Lopez’s first fight in about 10 months, but the performance lacked excitement, had few highlights, and did not entertain the fans.
Although Lopez wishes to part ways with Top Rank, he is under a binding contract that makes it difficult. However, if the fight with Ennis materializes, it would likely be the highest payday of his career.
Bob Arum has openly acknowledged this, stating, “Teofimo is doing it for the money, but I can’t blame him. This would be the biggest money fight of his career. That said, I believe Lopez would be the underdog.” His remarks were harsh but realistic. Attention now turns to what comes next.
This article has been translated and published with permission from BOXING MASTER.
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