BoxRec

If it happens next how do you see it?

I really hope it does. They both seem to want it & it will be a fun build up & a fun fight.

Both were stars too early, if you know what I mean, but they are both mature now & seem to be in full control

Depends where.
Teo comes out here, he may get stopped.
Garcia has enough boxing skills and back up power to keep him at bay.
Ryan going east is a risk, but being the A side he should dictate where it goes down.

Taansend wrote: ↑13 Sep 2026, 01:39 If it happens next how do you see it?

I really hope it does. They both seem to want it & it will be a fun build up & a fun fight.

Both were stars too early, if you know what I mean, but they are both mature now & seem to be in full control

the build up has potential to be madness. If Garcia can stay focused in camp, I favour him to win but it could be an absolute battle going the full 12.

Can happen.

Garcia has one for might under GBP. Get that done, and get Lopez’s mandatory against Catterall out the way

Think some might be overrating Garcia after last night. He comfortably lost to Rolly. Lopez comfortably beat Rolly. Probably a close fight.

joshj909 wrote: ↑13 Sep 2026, 06:36 Think some might be overrating Garcia after last night. He comfortably lost to Rolly. Lopez comfortably beat Rolly. Probably a close fight.

possibly, but that was not Garcia anywhere near his best against Rolly. with his issues out of the ring, it's still a lottery which Garcia turns up on the night but if the best version does turn up, I would slightly favour him, especially if what he's saying about injuries is true

As I said before both Garcia & Lopez seem to have matured a lot in the least year or so.

In fact, all the top dogs at Welter seem to be in their prime, mentally & physically.

Paro the oldest at 30 (which is young these days) & the others all 25-29.

Well you can include Catterall at 33 but he won't be winning any decisions in the USA.

Garcia will just be too quick for Teo.

golden_labrador wrote: ↑13 Sep 2026, 06:43

joshj909 wrote: ↑13 Sep 2026, 06:36 Think some might be overrating Garcia after last night. He comfortably lost to Rolly. Lopez comfortably beat Rolly. Probably a close fight.

possibly, but that was not Garcia anywhere near his best against Rolly. with his issues out of the ring, it's still a lottery which Garcia turns up on the night but if the best version does turn up, I would slightly favour him, especially if what he's saying about injuries is true

Garcia still hasn't won a rematch against Rolly so I don't buy that he could've done better.

If he didn't prepare for the fight that's not an excuse that flies for a Professional.

Per source with knowledge of the discussions characterizing conversations for a Ryan Garcia-Teofimo Lopez 147 unification fight: They’re “introductory” to establish if those who have a say are interested in the fight & potential timing, perhaps February or May. Nothing more substantial, at least not yet. #boxing

I personally think Teofimo Lopez is not really in the best of form 'I don't think his last performance vs. Rolly Romero was impressive at all'.

Note: Rolly Romero was not given a chance of winning 'but in my opinion, he pushed Teofimo Lopez in a close and competitive fight'.

Ryan Garcia is on a roll 'he is motivated, and seems to be enjoying being a World Champion. In the right stylistic fight were his attributes are clearly giving him a advantage he can be difficult to beat'.

Lopez and Garcia both rely on their operational speed 'Teofimo Lopez is the more skilled fighter, but Garcia has more power. It is a close fight, 50/50. When both guys are prepared optimally'.

Ryan Garcia can win against this recent version of Teofimo Lopez 'which is not a result; I don't think many people would have picked a few years back' etc.

PRINCEKOOL wrote: ↑23 Sep 2026, 10:46 I personally think Teofimo Lopez is not really in the best of form 'I don't think his last performance vs. Rolly Romero was impressive at all'.

Note: Rolly Romero was not given a chance of winning 'but in my opinion, he pushed Teofimo Lopez in a close and competitive fight'.

Ryan Garcia is on a roll 'he is motivated, and seems to be enjoying being a World Champion. In the right stylistic fight were his attributes are clearly giving him a advantage he can be difficult to beat'.

Lopez and Garcia both rely on their operational speed 'Teofimo Lopez is the more skilled fighter, but Garcia has more power. It is a close fight, 50/50. When both guys are prepared optimally'.

Ryan Garcia can win against this recent version of Teofimo Lopez 'which is not a result; I don't think many people would have picked a few years back' etc.

Agreed. Garcia is erratic mind but I think Lopez is very overrated. He’s very flattered by his Loma and past it Josh Taylor wins. I thought Sandor beat him too. His personality gets him headlines.

Lopez seems like a guy who had some quick reflexes, and a fair bit of Boxing talent, but after years in the game he's never really added much of anything else to his repertoire, and he still just is what he was, and a lesser version of it at that.

Ryan Garcia vs Teofimo Lopez is in advanced talks to take place in the first quarter of 2027, sources told The Ring’s @MikeCoppinger.

#InsideTheRing | Latest episode LIVE NOW on The Ring and DAZN’s YouTube

I believe the Garcia-Teo fight will happen regardless of the WBA’s ruling here. Catterall could end up being elevated.

Ryan Garcia set to face US rival Teofimo Lopez next after emphatic victory over Conor Benn

After his spectacular stoppage of Conor Benn, Ryan Garcia is set to face Teofimo Lopez next; Benn is yet to confirm his next career move although he continues to be linked with a trilogy fight against Chris Eubank Jr; Garcia and fellow American Lopez are both welterweight world champions

Ryan Garcia is set to face Teofimo Lopez in his next fight after his emphatic victory over Conor Benn last month.

Garcia defended his WBC welterweight title with a second-round stoppage of British contender Benn in Las Vegas and is now holding talks for a fight against Lopez, Sky Sports News understands.

Fellow American Lopez also holds a world title in the same division after he sealed a majority decision win over Rolando Romero to claim the WBA belt in August.

Lopez has been ordered to defend his WBA title against Lancashire fighter Jack Catterall, but is pressing ahead with a fight against Garcia instead.

Benn is yet to confirm his next move after the second loss of his professional career against Garcia.

His long-term trainer Tony Sims has confirmed that Benn will never fight again at welterweight.

The 30-year-old announced on social media that he will spend some time away of the ring, although he continues to be linked with a trilogy fight against Chris Eubank Jr.

Teofimo Lopez launches petition with WBA for Ryan Garcia unification

Teofimo Lopez’s team has launched a petition with the WBA to grant Lopez a welterweight unification bout with Ryan Garcia next.

Lopez claimed the WBA strap from Rolly Romero with a majority decision victory at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena in August. Prior to the contest, WBA president Gilberto Mendoza stated the winner must defend the belt against WBA ‘regular’ titleholder Jack Catterall.

Following his victory, Lopez made it no secret that he wished to face fellow welterweight champion Ryan Garcia in a more lucrative contest than face his mandatory obligation in Catterall. The WBA then officially ordered Lopez to defend his title against Catterall in September, Regardless, Lopez entered negotiations to face Garcia.

Lopez’s manager Keith Connolly revealed to BS that talks have “advanced significantly” for a fight with Garcia to land in the first quarter of 2027, and that they have lodged a petition for Lopez’s WBA title to be on the line.

“We have put legal paperwork in and they said they're going to revise and consider us getting an exception,” Connolly said.

“We've challenged their mandatory defense because if you look at the WBA ‘super’ champion rules, they're allowed to make a unification. We're petitioning the WBA and we think that we have the right, within the WBA ‘super’ champion rules, to make the unification fight.”

WBA rule (c.19) states that if a champion is seeking to “unify an association title with that of another organization” the rules around a mandatory obligation “may be suspended or modified when the association deems it justified” and they will “consider a request for special permit (or exception)”. WBA rule (c.40) also states that "requests to engage in a title unification bout shall be given special consideration".

There have been instances – even very recently – that the WBA have granted special permits to their champions who are obliged to face their mandatory challenger. WBA junior bantamweight champion David Jimenez was recently ordered to face John Ramirez but has been granted a special permit to face Seigo Yuri Akui on November 29 in Tokyo, Japan.

The WBA explained its reasonings for the switch in a statement listed on their website: “After reviewing the arguments presented by both parties and the provisions of its regulations, the WBA determined that it has the authority to modify mandatory defense deadlines and grant special permits under justified circumstances.”

As well as the situation with Jimenez, super-middleweight titleholder Jaime Munguia has recently signed to fight Nikita Zon on October 31 in Saudi Arabia, despite being ordered to face mandatory challenger Bektemir Melikuziev. The WBA at first put out a social media post stating they had “not approved” the bout and they would “review the situation”. A decision on the sanctioning of the bout has not yet been confirmed.

Eddie Hearn insists Jack Catterall will not step aside for Teofimo Lopez-Ryan Garcia

Jack Catterall will not step aside to allow Teofimo Lopez to pursue a unification fight with Ryan Garcia, according to Eddie Hearn.

The Matchroom promoter insists that no amount of money will persuade Catterall, the WBA “regular” welterweight beltholder, to surrender his opportunity to challenge Lopez for the organization's “super” title.

Catterall, 33-2 (14 KOs), earned that opportunity in May when he outpointed Shakhram Giyasov over 12 rounds to claim the vacant WBA “regular” belt.

The fight occurred after the WBA upgraded Rolando “Rolly” Romero to "super" champion and permitted an optional defense against Lopez rather than face mandatory challenger Giyasov.

Under an agreement approved by WBA president Gilberto Mendoza Jnr, Giyasov instead fought Catterall, then ranked No. 6, for the vacant secondary title. The winner was guaranteed a shot at Romero's championship within 160 days.

Lopez subsequently defeated Romero by majority decision in August, inheriting the obligation to face Catterall.

The WBA has since ordered Lopez to defend against the 33-year-old Englishman, but Lopez and his team are pursuing a potentially more lucrative unification clash with WBC champion Garcia.

Hearn, however, insists Catterall's position is non-negotiable.

“Let me make one thing clear about Jack Catterall and Teofimo Lopez,” said Hearn. “As a champion, you have an obligation to fight your mandatory challengers. Jack Catterall having beat (Shakhram) Giyasov was written in a resolution in black and white, clear as day and we've had it confirmed dozens of times by the WBA. There is absolutely no movement. He was supposed to fight Rolly Romero. They allowed the fight between Rolly Romero against Teofimo Lopez on the condition the winner must fight Jack Catterall immediately and that is what is happening.”

Hearn also dismissed suggestions that Catterall, who was exceptionally unlucky not to get the nod over then-undisputed junior welterweight champion Josh Taylor in 2022, could instead face WBO welterweight champion Devin Haney.

“We know Devin Haney is looking for an opponent. I had a very brief conversation with Devin Haney and DAZN where they said maybe Jack Catterall could be the opponent, and Jack Catterall said, ‘You could not pay me any amount of money in the world to not get my shot at the WBA Super championship against Teofimo Lopez. I have worked my whole life for this. I have should have been undisputed champion years ago. I am not stepping aside for nobody. My time has come.’

“Teofimo against Ryan Garcia ain't even that big a fight and Ryan Garcia has come out now saying he's fighting Floyd Mayweather,” Hearn continued. “So, stop running around. Just fight your mandatory. If it's not a tough fight, no problem, make your money and move on. Jack Catterall will be fighting for the world championship in his next fight and it will be with the WBA.”