Sources have advised The Ring that Ring Magazine and WBO junior welterweight champion, Teofimo Lopez (21-1, 13 KOs), is close to finalizing a deal to face IBF titleholder Richardson Hitchins, who is ranked at No. 4 by The Ring.

The contest is expected to land on a Riyadh Season card - with dates in May and June being explored.

Lopez recently signed an agreement with influential manager Keith Connolly, who also manages Hitchins.

Earlier this week, the WBO issued an order which directed Lopez to make a mandatory defense against the winner of the upcoming eliminator between Jack Catterall (30-1, 13 KOs), The Ring’s No. 2 junior welterweight contender, and Arnold Barboza (31-0, 11 KOs), No. 9 at 140. They will headline a DAZN card on February 15 in Manchester. Lopez would have to face the winner within 180 days from the February date.

The WBO's order will not become a factor in Lopez vs. Hitchins getting finalized.

Provided Lopez overcomes a very tough task in Hitchins, he would then move up to the welterweight division to challenge undefeated world champion Jaron Ennis - with their date tentatively falling in the month of October - as part of a Riyadh Season card.

However, Ennis has a challenging task of his own to overcome. In arguably the toughest fight of his career, Ennis will face fellow unbeaten and WBA world champion Eimantas Stanionis (15-0, 9 KOs) in a high-stakes unification on April 12 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. The vacant Ring Magazine welterweight title will also be at stake.

Should everything come together, Lopez vs. Ennis would set the stage for a compelling battle of Ring Magazine world champions.