Sports · Combat Sports · 2 days ago
Ryan Garcia and Teofimo Lopez in advanced talks for 2027 fight
Ryan Garcia and Teofimo Lopez are in advanced talks for a fight expected in the first quarter of 2027.
Garcia holds the WBC welterweight title, while Lopez is the WBA champion, making this a potential meeting between two world champions in the same division.
Garcia called for a fight with Lopez after stopping Conor Benn in the second round in September.
Lopez won the WBA belt with a majority decision over Rolando Romero in August.
The WBA has ordered Lopez to face mandatory challenger Jack Catterall, and the two sides have until October 22 before the bout goes to a purse bid.
Reports differ on how Lopez could proceed if the WBA insists on that defense: he may seek legal action or give up the belt to pursue Garcia.
The proposed fight could bring the champions together in early 2027, but no agreement or final decision has been announced.
Ryan Garcia and Teofimo Lopez are in advanced talks for a welterweight title fight in the first quarter of 2027, according to reports cited by the sources.
Garcia holds the WBC welterweight title, while Lopez holds the WBA belt.
Lopez has been ordered to defend his WBA title against mandatory challenger Jack Catterall.
The reports say the Garcia-Lopez fight could go ahead even if Lopez loses or vacates the WBA belt.
Garcia called for a fight with Lopez after stopping Conor Benn in September.
- Who
- Ryan Garcia and Teofimo Lopez, both American welterweight champions.
- What
- They are in advanced talks for a welterweight title fight.
- When
- The first quarter of 2027.
- Where
- Not stated.
- Why
- Garcia called for the fight after beating Conor Benn, and the bout would unify their titles.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Garcia won the WBC welterweight title by unanimous decision over Mario Barrios.
Jack Catterall became the WBA mandatory challenger with a unanimous decision win over Shakhram Giyasov.
Lopez won the WBA belt with a majority decision over Rolly Romero in Las Vegas.
Garcia stopped Conor Benn in the second round and called for a fight with Lopez.
Reports said negotiations for a Garcia-Lopez fight had advanced and pointed to the first quarter of 2027.
- Proposed fight
- First quarter of 2027
- Ryan Garcia
- WBC welterweight titleholder; 26-2 record
- Teofimo Lopez
- WBA welterweight champion; 23-2 record
- Mandatory challenger
- Jack Catterall
- Garcia’s latest fight
- Second-round stoppage of Conor Benn on September 12
- Lopez’s latest title win
- Majority decision over Rolly Romero on August 22
3 sources
What people are saying
Ryan Garcia and Teofimo Lopez are now in advanced talks to fight in the first quarter of 2027, sources tell Ring Magazine. Expect this welterweight title fight to happen next. And it’s a big one.
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Ryan Garcia and Teofimo Lopez are now in advanced talks to fight in the first quarter of 2027, sources tell @ringmagazine. Expect this welterweight title fight to happen next. And it’s a big one.