Top Rank boss Bob Arum wants Ryan Garcia to be Teofimo Lopez’s next fight when the unified champion returns to the ring in 2021.
There has been talk from Lopez’s father that he would move up a weight class, but that appears even less likely than the chance to challenge WBC champion Devin Haney.
A better option, Arum believes, is to set up a fight with Garcia, the undefeated 22-year-old Californian boxer who is next due to face Luke Campbell. Arum suggested that Haney, younger than Garcia by a year, does not hold interest for the average boxing fan. The promoter also thinks that Lopez-Garcia will attract more money.
Speaking to IFL TV, Arum said: “If Lopez will stay at lightweight and there is no rematch, the fight that I would like to see him against is this Garcia kid, Ryan Garcia, who is fighting Luke Campbell.
“You have to understand the biggest group of fight fans, particularly if you’re talking about pay-per-view, are the Hispanics. Ryan Garcia has a tremendous following on social media, and that fight would be a lot more interesting than a Devin Haney fight.”
Arum made it clear that his proposal was about money first and foremost.
“I’m not talking about who is better or who is the worst. I’m talking about what would be a more lucrative fight.
“First, I would say Ryan Garcia if he beats Luke Campbell. Secondly, it would be Gervonta Davis if he beats Santa Cruz, and third would be Devin Haney who is essentially known in very small boxing circles.”
So far, Lopez has appeared keenest on making a fight with Haney, but Teofimo Sr. has suggested that his son would remain in the division only if it made financial sense.