Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Promoter Bob Arum revealed that the Saudis want to offer Teofimo Lopez a three-fight contract, which he likes. Arum says it’s up to Lopez (21-1, 13 KOs) to give his “endorsement.”
They reportedly want Teofimo to fight good opponents, which will be risky as he has looked vulnerable in many of his fights over the last four years. He recently turned down a fight against Subriel Mathias, and Devin Haney said there was an offer Theo turned down.
Lopez did not want to rematch George Kambossos Jr. after defeating him in 2021. This strange, self-defeating behavior prevented Teofimo from becoming more popular. Of course, taking those fights would work against Lopez, because he would lose them all, and now he would be even worse off.
The Saudis want Teofim right now while he’s still semi-popular, but if he loses all three fights for them, he’ll be in a club that needs him. He will be on the scrap heap, and whatever promoter wants to go dumpster diving for Theo. He would be like another Rolly Romero type of fighter who is good at promoting his fights but unreliable in the ring.
Three fight deal
“The Saudis came to us and talked about making a three-match deal with Teofim, which we like very much. Now the ball is in Teofim’s court to get his approval,” said Top Rank promoter Bob Arum. Fighthippe about Teofimo Lopez.
“The Saudis made an effort, and as for the Top Rank, we are satisfied with the offer and the arrangement. Now it’s up to Teofim. I’m going back to Vegas on Saturday and will contact Teofim and his people to see what to do from there.
“We are talking to the Saudis (about Teofimo fighting IBF light heavyweight champion Richardson Hitchins). We’ve had a good relationship with Theo, but there comes a time when they want to fly a bit on their own. That is not unusual. It’s happening, but I think Teofim will like the package that the Saudis have presented and we will move forward with him based on that,” Arum said.
Teofim’s career could be on the dustbin after his three-fight deal with the Saudis expires in early 2026, as there is no fight he has a good chance of winning among the three. If this is Turki Al-Sheikh’s three fights for Lopez, he probably won’t get another contact:
- Richardson Hitchins – Summer
- Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis – October
- Ryan Garcia vs. Devin Haney 2 Winner or Loser – February 2026
The loser of Garcia-Haney 2 is the most victorious of the three for Theo. Over the last four years, we’ve seen what Lopez looked like in fights against Steve Clagett, Jemaine Ortiz, Sandor Martin and George Camboos Jr. He is not talented enough to go through Hitchins or Boots without losing at least one if not two.
The Aftermath
The Saudis won’t be throwing mega-millions at Teofim after he’s gone 0-3 in their current contract. I could see Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom signing Lopez after his contact with Turkey and Top Rank expires. They just signed 36-year-old Liam Smith, who hasn’t fought in two years since 2023 and was knocked out by Chris Eubank Jr.
If Matchroom were willing to sign Smith, they will be all over Theo and invest in a rebuilding job like they did with Anthony Joshua. I haven’t worked with him, and it won’t be effective with Lopez if he’s coming off a three-game losing streak. It’s not just those three fights.
Teofimo has been struggling since losing to Kambosos Jr. in 2021. He was saved by the judges who saved him Jamaine Ortiz and Sandor Martin. Top Rank helped Theo by not throwing him to the wolves by pairing him with guys who would finish what Kambosos started.
