WBO light welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez is confident that he’s going to do his part by defeating Arnold Barboza Jr. of their tournament fight on the May 2nd Fatal Fury card in 18 days, survive DAZN PPV at Times Square in Latest York City.
Teofimo (21-1, 13 KOs) says he doesn’t care who wins the opposite two fights on the May 2nd card because he’s just focused on getting through his difficult bout against his WBO mandatory Barboza Jr. (32-0, 11 KOs).
Barboza Jr. goes to be an issue for Teo because he’s looked great recently, beating Jack Catterall and Jose Ramirez in back-to-back fights to maneuver his way into his mandatory position. He’s been fighting on the next level than Lopez and seems mentally stronger.
Fights On May 2nd
- Ryan Garcia vs. Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero
- Devin Haney vs. Jose Ramirez
- Teofimo Lopez vs. Arnold Barboza Jr.
Saudi Plans
“Everybody has to do their job, and everybody has to win. The very best of the most effective are going to fight. It’s like a tournament and we’ll see one another. The very best fighting the most effective; whoever the last man standing by the start of next yr,” said Teofimo Lopez to Ring Magazine about him fighting Ryan Garcia or Devin Haney.
Teofimo did not mention that Ryan and Devin have to win their respective fights on May 2nd for them to fulfill within the October rematch that the Saudis have planned for them. If one or each lose on May 2nd, their rematch might be up in smoke for October. They will still fight at a later time, but it surely may not be with the funding from the Saudis.
“I don’t care. So long as I’m over there next yr, that’s all that matters to me,” said Lopez when asked who he prefers to fight between Ryan and Haney in 2026. “They’re moving as much as 147. I’m still at 140. So, they’ll a minimum of get slightly headstart within the welterweight division.”
Haney and Kingry have already got a head start over Lopez because they’ve been rehydrating huge amounts of weight for his or her fights at 140. Ryan looked like a slender junior middleweight during his last fight against Haney on April twentieth last yr. It would be interesting to see how well he holds up when Teo gets in with the winner or loser of their October rematch. Each are difficult of their way.
“So, everybody at 147, beware. Teofimo is coming to beat the 147-pound division. Whoever wins, Ryan and Haney, put them in front of me. I’ll beat them. It don’t matter. Possibly I’m going to 147 and are available back to 140,” said Lopez on whether his fight with Barboza Jr. might be the last time he fights at light welterweight.
Loser’s Bracket
Lopez may disintegrate long before he gets to 147 in 2026 along with his May 2nd clash against Barboza Jr. He’ll still fight early next yr even when he’s beaten, but it surely could be within the loser’s bracket against Garcia or Haney. The beaten considered one of those two would face Lopez with their careers mainly being on the road.
“We’re going to make boxing great again, and we’re going to begin it May 2nd. I imagine whether this fight goes 12 or not, it’s going to be one to observe. So, tune in, survive DAZN,” said Lopez about his fight with Barboza Jr. next month at Times Square.
“If Crawford could do it and nobody gives him s*** for doing it, then I can do it. I don’t wish to hear it,” said Teofimo about whether he could go as much as 154 for one fight. “I’m talking about one or two weight classes difference. There’s a lot room to take every belt. There’s not loads of noise at 154. There’s not loads of noise at 147 as much appropriately,” said Lopez.
Last Updated on 04/14/2025
