WBO World Super Lightweight Champion Teofimo Lopez (USA), with a record of 22 wins (13 KOs) and 1 loss, is set to face former two-division world champion Devin Haney (USA), who holds a record of 32 wins (15 KOs), no losses, and 1 no contest. Haney is currently ranked No. 1 by the WBC and No. 2 by the WBA at welterweight. The bout will take place on August 16 (August 17 Japan time) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
It has been reported that both fighters have signed the contract, and the fight will be held at a catchweight of 144.5 pounds. The event will be broadcast globally by DAZN.
Lopez had previously been in talks for a fight against IBF and WBA (Super) Welterweight Champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis (USA), who holds an undefeated record of 34 wins (30 KOs) and 1 no contest, but Ennis has since pulled out of the potential matchup with Lopez.
Teofimo Lopez, who has been seeking a high-paying big-money fight, was reportedly furious upon hearing the news. He vented his frustration at Saudi officials, including Minister Turki Alalshikh, who leads the Riyadh Season project—a government-backed initiative that had offered to host the bout. Lopez even hinted at a possible retirement from boxing.
On the other hand, Devin Haney secured a solid unanimous decision win over former WBO and WBC Super Lightweight Champion Jose Carlos Ramirez (USA)—who is currently ranked No. 5 by the WBA at welterweight, No. 8 by the WBC at super lightweight, No. 9 by the WBO, and No. 12 by the IBF—on May 2 (May 3 Japan time) in a 12-round welterweight non-title bout held in New York’s Times Square.
Haney was initially planning a rematch with former WBC Interim Lightweight Champion Ryan Garcia (USA), who holds a record of 24 wins (20 KOs), 2 losses, and 1 no contest. However, Garcia suffered a knockdown and a 12-round decision loss on the same day in a bout for the vacant WBA World Welterweight (Regular) title against Rolando Romero (USA), the former WBA Interim Lightweight and Super Lightweight Champion with a record of 17 wins (13 KOs) and 2 losses.
A trilogy between Haney and Garcia had been in the works, but the plan fell apart after Garcia’s loss and subsequent surgery on his right hand following the fight.
Back in December, it was revealed that Top Rank, which promotes Lopez, had made an offer to Haney guaranteeing a minimum purse of $2.4 million (approximately ¥359.6 million), plus a 55/45 split of the pay-per-view revenue. At that time, however, Haney showed no interest in the offer.
After the rematch with Garcia fell through, Haney expressed interest in facing Lopez, making a showdown under the “Riyadh Season” banner a realistic possibility.
With Ennis pulling out of the fight, the matchup between Teofimo Lopez and former two-division champion Devin Haney is now set—something fans can definitely look forward to!
This article has been translated and published with permission from BOXING MASTER.
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