Devin Haney Response To Teofimo Lopez Callout!
The war of words continues between WBO junior welterweight champion Teofimo “The Takeover” Lopez (19-1, 13 KOs) and reigning undisputed lightweight champion Devin “The Dream” Haney (30-0, 15 KOs). After Lopez informed the WBO that he plans to hold on to the junior welterweight strap, the reigning 140-pound champion challenged Devin Haney to a fight. Well, Haney was having none of Lopez’s threats and responded!
HOW WE GOT TO THIS POINT
This is part of the fallout from the WBO ordering a contest between Arnold Barboza and former unified 140-pound champion Jose Ramirez. As part of that order, the sanctioning body gave Lopez twenty-four hours to inform them whether he would keep or vacate the belt.
They also gave Haney twenty-four period to let them know whether he plans to fight at junior welterweight. Since Haney has a WBO title at 135, by rule, he’s eligible to fight for the WBO belt if Lopez had vacated. However, since Lopez elected to keep the title, the ordered fight between Barboza and Ramirez is now null and void.
On June 20, Lopez won the title with a decision victory over Josh Taylor. Following that victory, The Takeover announced that he was hanging up the gloves. Many in the boxing community met his retirement with skepticism. His decision to keep the belt means that he plans to fight again.
WHERE DO THEY GO FROM HERE?
Lopez and Haney have talked about fighting each other for several years. After defeating Taylor, the Lopez camp expressed an interest in fighting Haney but wanted a $20 million dollar payday. For Team Haney, that was a non-starter and a sign that they were not serious with that kind of demand.
Word on the street is that Haney is in serious negotiations for a fall matchup with WBC junior welterweight champion Regis Prograis. But with Haney’s recent comments about Lopez, does that mean Prograis is off the table?
How all of this plays out for Lopez and Haney is unknown. Will their latest verbal salvo end up with them fighting at long last? Or are they once against teasing the masses and blowing smoke? Whatever the case, 3Kings Boxing will monitor their next moves in their soap opera-like tale.
