Teofimo Lopez Pulls Out of Devin Haney Combat: What Occurred and What’s Subsequent
The boxing world was gearing up for an enormous showdown between Teofimo Lopez and Devin Haney, slated for August 16, 2025, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The 145-pound catchweight bout, reportedly agreed upon by each fighters based on BoxingScene and The Ring Journal, promised to be a conflict of titans. Nevertheless, the struggle has collapsed, with Lopez backing out, leaving followers upset and Haney fuming. Right here’s the most recent on this unraveling saga.
The Lead-Up
The Lopez-Haney rivalry has been brewing for years, with each fighters dominating the light-weight division earlier than shifting up. On Might 2, 2025, at Madison Sq. Backyard’s Hulu Theater, Lopez (22-1, 13 KOs) defended his WBO and Ring Journal junior welterweight titles in opposition to Arnold Barboza Jr. by unanimous resolution, although some criticized his showboating. Haney (32-0, 1 NC, 15 KOs) outclassed Jose Ramirez on the identical card, setting the stage for a possible superfight. Saudi boxing czar Turki Alalshikh, a key participant in current high-profile bouts, pushed for the matchup, with contracts reportedly signed for a DAZN pay-per-view occasion.
The Collapse
The deal fell aside when Lopez refused to finalize his dedication. On June 3, 2025, Haney vented on X, stating, “The struggle with Teo just isn’t signed! I signed my half & Teo has been stalling… he’s formally the largest 🦆👎🏽 🍅.” He instructed Sports activities Illustrated, “Teo is a f***ing duck… he wasted everyone’s time.” Earlier, Lopez’s deleted tweets criticizing Alalshikh had briefly stalled talks, although he apologized on Might 31, 2025, and negotiations resumed. Regardless of this, Lopez finally walked away.
Doable causes for Lopez’s hesitation embrace monetary disputes—Haney reportedly demanded a hefty purse, having rejected Lopez’s $2.4 million provide in 2024—or issues about Haney’s technical prowess. Lopez’s current performances, whereas victorious, have been scrutinized, and he could also be avoiding a tricky stylistic matchup.
Reactions and Subsequent Steps
Haney is now in search of one other large struggle, with Alalshikh prone to line up a high opponent at 140 or 147 kilos, presumably Jaron Ennis or Ryan Garcia. He emphasised his willingness to face the most effective, saying, “I’m trying ahead to working with Riyadh Season on the absolute best opponent.” Lopez, silent on the matter, faces criticism for ducking Haney. His subsequent transfer—whether or not a safer struggle or a daring problem like Ennis—will form his legacy.
Followers on X are break up, with some calling Lopez out for avoiding Haney and others speculating he’s strategizing for a special path. The collapse highlights the challenges of creating large fights in boxing, the place egos and funds typically conflict.
Sources: Sports activities Illustrated, BoxingScene, The Ring Journal, X posts.
