Two-weight world champion Teofimo Lopez has weighed in on Ryan Garcia’s decision to withdraw from negotiations for an all-American mega fight with Devin Haney.
Despite stating he wanted to face Haney next in the days prior, Garcia took to social media over the weekend to reveal he instead wants to take on WBA super lightweight champion Rolando Romero.
The decision came after he struck up a friendship with the legendary Floyd Mayweather Jr who, known for his shrewd selection of opponents during his own career, is rumoured to have advised the 25-year-old to steer clear of WBC belt holder Haney for now.
Old pic and I was a bit out of shape and slightly overweight lol but I want to say this about @floydmayweather you guys don’t know him and most of you will never. But he is authentic has a good heart and extremely generous. Stop playing with him he will always win. HES 50-0 and… pic.twitter.com/Lz28ZnK2nn
— RYAN GARCIA (@RyanGarcia) January 5, 2024
Lopez, who himself holds the WBO world title at 140lbs and fought Garcia in the amateur ranks, explained to the media at Vergil Ortiz vs Frederick Lawson that he actually believes the former made the right call.
“That’s the Mayweather effect!”
“You’ve got to think about it from a business point. If he gets the world title, then he gets to balance the WBC with the WBA, know what I mean?”
“If he ain’t got no belt, then the Haney’s are going to say they need more money, because they’ve got the money belt.”
There is a sense that a money-spinning clash between Garcia and Haney could still be on the cards in the not too distant future, and would potentially be an even bigger event as a unification.
However, that all depends on Garcia A) being able to agree a deal with Romero and B) defeating the brash Las Vegas native.
‘King Ry’ bounced back from last April’s stoppage loss to Gervonta Davis with a knockout victory over rugged Mexican Oscar Duarte in December, though he had to come through adversity to do so and many still have doubts over his credentials at the elite level.
Haney’s next move is, as of yet, unclear. He put on a career-best showing against Regis Prograis a month ago to capture the WBC belt at super lightweight, becoming a two-weight champion in the process.
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The likes of Richardson Hitchins, Liam Paro and Jack Catterall have all been linked to a fight with ‘The Dream’ after the collapse of the Garcia talks became public, however a defence against mandatory challenger Sandor Martin is thought to be most likely option at this stage.
