Devin Haney and
Teofimo Lopez were discussing an Aug. 16 fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, but negotiations have now collapsed,
The Ring has learned.
The 145-pound catchweight matchup would have featured two of the sport’s youngest stars in a fight that has been brewing for years.
Haney and Lopez scored comprehensive decision victories on The Ring’s May 2 show in Times Square.
Haney defeated former champion Jose Ramirez while
Lopez (22-1, 13 KOs) retained his Ring junior welterweight championship with an impressive victory over Arnold Barboza Jr.
“I was looking forward to making this fight with Teo, it’s been in the works for a while now,” Haney (32-0, 15 KOs) told The Ring on Tuesday. “I thought this was the best time to make it happen. I did my part. We waited for days for Teo to sign his part of the contract and he came out and said this isn’t a fight he wants to make.
“I’m still willing to make the biggest and best fights. I’m looking forward to working with His Excellency, Riyadh Season and The Ring on the best possible opponent. Teo is a f----ng duck. No promoter should work with Teo because he wasted everybody’s time.”
Lopez’s team declined comment.
Haney, 26, is the former undisputed lightweight champion and WBC titleholder at 140 pounds. The fight against Ramirez was contested at 144 pounds, Haney’s first welterweight bout.
Lopez, 27, is also the former undisputed lightweight champion and holds the WBO and Ring championships at 140. Both fighters scored career-best victories via decisions over future Hall of Famer Vasiliy Lomachenko.
Mike Coppinger is The Ring’s senior insider. He formerly was ESPN’s boxing insider. Follow him on X/Instagram: @MikeCoppinger