Promoter Bob Arum revealed that the Saudis wanted to offer Teofimo Lopez a three-fight contract, which he appreciates. Arum says it’s up to Lopez (21-1, 13 KOs) to give his “approval.”
They would like Teofimo to fight good opposition, which will be risky as he has looked vulnerable in many of his fights over the past four years. He recently turned down a fight against Subriel Matias, and Devin Haney said Teo turned down an offer.
Lopez didn’t want to face George Kambosos Jr. after beating him in 2021. This strange and self-destructive behavior prevented Teofimo from becoming more popular. Of course, taking those fights would have worked against Lopez, because he would have lost them all, and his situation would be even worse now.
The Saudis want Teofimo right now while he’s still semi-popular, but if he loses all three fights for them, he’ll be in the “needs him” club. It will be scrapped, and whoever the developer wants to go Dumpster diving for Teo. He would be like another Rolly Romero type fighter, good at promoting his fights but unreliable inside the ring.
Three fight deal
“The Saudis came to us and they talked about doing a three-fight deal with Teofimo, which we really like. Now the ball is in Teofimo’s court to get his approval,” Top Rank promoter Bob Arum told Combathype about Teofimo Lopez.
“The Saudis have taken over and, as far as Top Rank is concerned, we are happy with the offer and the deal. Now it’s Teofimo’s turn. I’ll be back in Vegas on Saturday and will contact Teofimo and his team to see where it goes from there.
“We are talking to the Saudis (about Teofimo fighting IBF light welterweight champion Richardson Hitchins). We’ve had a good relationship with Teo, but there comes a time when they look to fly a little on their own. This is not unusual. It happens, but I think Teofimo will appreciate the package presented by the Saudis, and we will move forward with him on that basis,” Arum said.
Teofimo’s career could be in ruins after his three-fight contract with the Saudis ends in early 2026, as there isn’t a single fight he has a good chance of winning among the three. If these are the three fights Turki Al-Sheikh has against Lopez, he is unlikely to receive any new contact:
- Richardson Hitchins – summer
- Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis – October
- Ryan Garcia vs. Devin Haney 2 win or lose – February 2026
The Garcia-Haney 2 loser is the most winnable of the three for Teo. Over the last four years, we’ve seen what Lopez has looked like in his fights against Steve Claggett, Jamaine Ortiz, Sandor Martin and George Kambosos Jr. He’s not talented enough to get past Hitchins or Boots without losing at least one, or even two. .
The consequences
Saudis won’t throw millions at Teofimo after he leaves 0-3 in their current contract. I could see Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom signing Lopez after his contact with Turki and Top Rank expired. They just signed 36-year-old Liam Smith, who hasn’t fought in two years since 2023 and is coming off a knockout loss to Chris Eubank Jr.
If Matchroom were willing to sign Smith, they would go after Teo and invest in a rebuilding job like they did with Anthony Joshua. It didn’t work with him, and it won’t work with Lopez if he comes off a three-fight losing streak. It’s not just about these three fights.
Teofimo has been in constant trouble since his loss to Kambosos Jr. in 2021. He was saved by the judges who released him on bail. Jamaïne Ortiz And Sandor Martin. Top Rank helped Teo by not throwing him to the wolves by pitting him against guys who would finish what Kambosos started.
