Promoter Bob Arum has revealed that the Saudis want to offer Teofimo Lopez a three-fight deal, which he likes. Arum says it’s up to Lopez (21-1, 13 KOs) to give his “approval.”
They reportedly want Teofimo to fight a good opponent, 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 Matias, and Devin Haney said there was an offer that Teo turned down.
Lopez did not want to rematch George Kambosos Jr. after defeating him in 2021. This strange, self-defeating 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 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 the ‘need club’. He will be on the scrap heap, and whatever promoter wants to go dumpster diving for Teo. He would be like another Rolly Romero type of fighter who is good at promoting his fights but unreliable inside the ring.
Three fight deal
“The Saudis came to us and talked about signing a three-fight contract with Teofim, which we really like. Now the ball is in Teofim’s court to get his approval,” said Top Rank promoter Bob Arum to Fighthype about Teofimo Lopez.
“The Saudis have come to grips with it, and as far as Top Rank is concerned, we are satisfied with the offer and the agreement. Now it’s up to Teofim. I will be back in Vegas on Saturday and will contact Teofim and his people to see what to do next.
“We are talking with the Saudis [about Teofimo fighting IBF light welterweight champion Richardson Hitchins]. We had a good relationship with Theo, but there comes a time when they want to fly a bit on their own. That’s not unusual. It’s happening, but I think Teofim will like the package that the Saudis have presented and we will continue with him on that basis,” said Arum.
Teofim’s career could be in limbo after his three-fight deal with the Saudis expires 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 for Lopez, it’s unlikely they’ll give him a new 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 profitable of the three for Teo. Over the past four years, we’ve seen how Lopez looked in fights against Steve Claggett, Jamaine Ortiz, Sandor Martin and George Kambosos Jr. He’s not talented enough to get through Hitchins or Boots without losing at least one if not two.
The Aftermath
The Saudis will not throw mega-millions at Teofim 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 expires. 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 be around Theo 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’s coming off a three-game losing streak. It’s not just those three fights.
Teofimo is constantly struggling since his loss to Kambosos Jr. 2021. He was saved by the judges who bailed him out Jamaine Ortiz and Sandor Martin. Top Rank helped Theo by not throwing him to the wolves by pitting him against guys who would finish what Kambosos started.
