Teofimo Lopez looks no closer to announcing opponent following a stellar win to become a two-division world champion.
Lopez beat previously undisputed and undefeated Josh Taylor by unanimous decision back in June, picking up the WBO Super-Lightweight World Title after previously being unified champ one division down.
Despite a brief retirement, he has confirmed he intends to fight on and has since been elevated to ‘super champion’ by the sanctioning body. That tag gives him wiggle room with mandatory challengers, and he was widely tipped to opt for a voluntary defence in February 2024.
The man in the opposite corner was to be Ryan Garcia, according to Lopez’ promoter Bob Arum as well as Garcia’s man Oscar De La Hoya.
Targeted for Super Bowl weekend, the fight was dependant on Garcia winning his comeback bout against Oscar Duarte next month.
Even before that has taken place, however, Lopez told FightHype “no, I declined the offer,” when asked about the talks.
Whether negotiations will be picked back up remains to be seen. Another option for Lopez is to target the winner of Regis Prograis-Devin Haney.
Haney has moved away from being undisputed at lightweight to join the 140 ranks, and challenges for Prograis’ WBC World Title on December 9.
A unification with Lopez will be high up the list of the winner, and a suitable fight for the Brooklyn native who, at just 26-years-old, has been clear that he wants to continue to build on an already impressive legacy.