From New York to the Desert: Haney and Lopez to Battle at 145 Pounds in Historic Bout

After years of tension, trash talk, and tantalizing close calls, the long-awaited showdown between Devin Haney and Teofimo Lopez is finally official. Both fighters have signed contracts to meet on August 16 in Saudi Arabia, marking a major moment not only for their personal legacies but for the global boxing scene.

The news, confirmed by a source close to the negotiations, has sent shockwaves across the sport. Haney and Lopez—both former undisputed champions in different divisions and two of the most polarizing figures in boxing—will square off at a catchweight of 145 pounds. It’s a non-title bout, but the stakes are enormous: pride, legacy, and dominance in a weight class where both have something to prove.

A Rivalry Years in the Making

Devin Haney (32-0, 15 KOs) and Teofimo Lopez (22-1, 13 KOs) have never shied away from each other in interviews, social media spats, or post-fight pressers. For years, their names have floated in the same breath as part of boxing’s “Four Horsemen”—a term coined by Ryan Garcia to describe himself, Haney, Lopez, and Gervonta “Tank” Davis.

Now, two of those four will finally meet in the ring.

What makes this fight unique isn’t just the caliber of the fighters—it’s the timing. Both men fought and won on the same May 2 card in Times Square, New York City. Lopez dismantled the previously undefeated Arnold Barboza Jr., while Haney earned a decision win over the hard-hitting Jose Ramirez, albeit in a bout that critics labeled “lackluster” due to its lack of action.

Still, both men emerged victorious, and that set the stage for what will be one of the most high-profile non-title fights of the year.

Saudi Arabia Continues Boxing Expansion

The location for the fight is no surprise. Saudi Arabia has been aggressively expanding its role in the sport over the last few years, hosting blockbuster events with top-tier fighters. Now, the kingdom adds another jewel to its growing boxing crown with Haney vs. Lopez.

While an official announcement from Saudi boxing patron Turki Alalshikh is pending, insiders expect the fight to be broadcast globally via DAZN.

With no belts on the line but global bragging rights at stake, the bout represents a continuation of Saudi Arabia’s mission to bring world-class sporting events to the Middle East.

The Stakes: Legacy, Respect, and Redemption

For Haney, the undefeated former undisputed lightweight champion, this is an opportunity to solidify his legacy against a dangerous and dynamic opponent. At just 26, Haney has already faced and beaten the likes of Vasiliy Lomachenko, JoJo Diaz, Jorge Linares, and Regis Prograis. But he’s also been criticized for his cautious, defense-first style.

That critique has only grown louder after his most recent outing against Ramirez. Though he controlled the fight from start to finish, fans were underwhelmed by the lack of fireworks.

Teofimo Lopez, on the other hand, is a fighter who thrives on explosive moments. At 27, he’s already pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the last decade when he dethroned Lomachenko in 2020. But inconsistency has haunted him since. He suffered a shocking loss to George Kambosos Jr. in 2021 and took a brief hiatus from the sport before bouncing back.

Now the WBO super lightweight champion and recognized lineal titleholder, Lopez is riding a wave of momentum following his win over Barboza. And he’s looking to ride it straight through Haney.

Bad Blood Boils Over

There’s no shortage of animosity between these two fighters—or their camps. Bill Haney, Devin’s father, trainer, and manager, has been outspoken in calling for this matchup. And he’s made no secret of his disdain for Lopez.

“You said your whole career you wanted a big-money fight,” Bill Haney said of Lopez. “Well, here it is. Now there’s nowhere to run. No place to hide.”

He also addressed Lopez’s past comments that some viewed as racially charged.

“Devin told me he’s going to punish Teofimo for all the disrespect,” said Haney Sr. “He’s going to make him take every word back, round by round. When this is over, there won’t be any more Teofimo Lopez—just like there’s no more JoJo Diaz or Regis Prograis.”

These statements only further hype what was already an emotionally charged encounter. And Lopez hasn’t exactly shied away from the tension, either. When asked about Haney during a Golden Boy Promotions event in Las Vegas recently, he smirked and replied cryptically, “Maybe him.”

That was enough to set the boxing world ablaze with speculation—and now, confirmation.

No Title, No Problem

Though neither man’s titles will be on the line, fans are still treating this like a superfight—and rightly so. It’s rare to see two fighters in their physical and competitive primes agree to a non-title bout purely for the thrill of the challenge and the demand of the fans.

And it’s not without its complications. The fight will be contested at 145 pounds, a weight that suits neither man perfectly. Haney is used to making 140, while Lopez has struggled at times with the weight cut and has previously fought closer to 147.

Both fighters will undergo random drug testing through the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA), ensuring a clean contest.

Where’s Tank?

Adding another layer of intrigue to the August 16 date is the fact that Gervonta “Tank” Davis will also be fighting that night. He’s set to defend his WBA lightweight title in a rematch against Lamont Roach Jr. in Las Vegas.

That means two of the “Four Horsemen” will be in action on the same night, albeit on different continents. The contrast is stark—Davis defending a title in Vegas, Haney and Lopez clashing on Saudi Arabian soil. Yet it feels like fate is slowly drawing all four men toward eventual collisions.

Source: Official: Devin Haney-Teofimo Lopez signed for August 16 in Saudi Arabia

What About Ryan Garcia?

One name notably absent from this event is Ryan Garcia. After a controversial no-contest against Haney in 2024, many expected a rematch to be next. But Garcia’s loss to Rolando “Rolly” Romero on the same May 2 card derailed those plans.

Instead of giving Garcia another shot, Haney has moved on. And with Lopez available and coming off a big win of his own, the decision was clear.

Fans hoping for a Garcia rematch will have to wait. For now, the focus shifts to Haney-Lopez—a bout that many believe will be far more competitive, explosive, and meaningful.After years of tension, trash talk, and tantalizing close calls, the long-awaited showdown between Devin Haney and Teofimo Lopez is finally official. Both fighters have signed contracts to meet on August 16 in Saudi Arabia, marking a major moment not only for their personal legacies but for the global boxing scene.

The news, confirmed by a source close to the negotiations, has sent shockwaves across the sport. Haney and Lopez—both former undisputed champions in different divisions and two of the most polarizing figures in boxing—will square off at a catchweight of 145 pounds. It’s a non-title bout, but the stakes are enormous: pride, legacy, and dominance in a weight class where both have something to prove.

A Rivalry Years in the Making

Devin Haney (32-0, 15 KOs) and Teofimo Lopez (22-1, 13 KOs) have never shied away from each other in interviews, social media spats, or post-fight pressers. For years, their names have floated in the same breath as part of boxing’s “Four Horsemen”—a term coined by Ryan Garcia to describe himself, Haney, Lopez, and Gervonta “Tank” Davis.

Now, two of those four will finally meet in the ring.

What makes this fight unique isn’t just the caliber of the fighters—it’s the timing. Both men fought and won on the same May 2 card in Times Square, New York City. Lopez dismantled the previously undefeated Arnold Barboza Jr., while Haney earned a decision win over the hard-hitting Jose Ramirez, albeit in a bout that critics labeled “lackluster” due to its lack of action.

Still, both men emerged victorious, and that set the stage for what will be one of the most high-profile non-title fights of the year.

Saudi Arabia Continues Boxing Expansion

The location for the fight is no surprise. Saudi Arabia has been aggressively expanding its role in the sport over the last few years, hosting blockbuster events with top-tier fighters. Now, the kingdom adds another jewel to its growing boxing crown with Haney vs. Lopez.

While an official announcement from Saudi boxing patron Turki Alalshikh is pending, insiders expect the fight to be broadcast globally via DAZN.

With no belts on the line but global bragging rights at stake, the bout represents a continuation of Saudi Arabia’s mission to bring world-class sporting events to the Middle East.

The Stakes: Legacy, Respect, and Redemption

For Haney, the undefeated former undisputed lightweight champion, this is an opportunity to solidify his legacy against a dangerous and dynamic opponent. At just 26, Haney has already faced and beaten the likes of Vasiliy Lomachenko, JoJo Diaz, Jorge Linares, and Regis Prograis. But he’s also been criticized for his cautious, defense-first style.

That critique has only grown louder after his most recent outing against Ramirez. Though he controlled the fight from start to finish, fans were underwhelmed by the lack of fireworks.

Teofimo Lopez, on the other hand, is a fighter who thrives on explosive moments. At 27, he’s already pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the last decade when he dethroned Lomachenko in 2020. But inconsistency has haunted him since. He suffered a shocking loss to George Kambosos Jr. in 2021 and took a brief hiatus from the sport before bouncing back.

Now the WBO super lightweight champion and recognized lineal titleholder, Lopez is riding a wave of momentum following his win over Barboza. And he’s looking to ride it straight through Haney.

Bad Blood Boils Over

There’s no shortage of animosity between these two fighters—or their camps. Bill Haney, Devin’s father, trainer, and manager, has been outspoken in calling for this matchup. And he’s made no secret of his disdain for Lopez.

“You said your whole career you wanted a big-money fight,” Bill Haney said of Lopez. “Well, here it is. Now there’s nowhere to run. No place to hide.”

He also addressed Lopez’s past comments that some viewed as racially charged.

“Devin told me he’s going to punish Teofimo for all the disrespect,” said Haney Sr. “He’s going to make him take every word back, round by round. When this is over, there won’t be any more Teofimo Lopez—just like there’s no more JoJo Diaz or Regis Prograis.”

These statements only further hype what was already an emotionally charged encounter. And Lopez hasn’t exactly shied away from the tension, either. When asked about Haney during a Golden Boy Promotions event in Las Vegas recently, he smirked and replied cryptically, “Maybe him.”

That was enough to set the boxing world ablaze with speculation—and now, confirmation.

No Title, No Problem

Though neither man’s titles will be on the line, fans are still treating this like a superfight—and rightly so. It’s rare to see two fighters in their physical and competitive primes agree to a non-title bout purely for the thrill of the challenge and the demand of the fans.

And it’s not without its complications. The fight will be contested at 145 pounds, a weight that suits neither man perfectly. Haney is used to making 140, while Lopez has struggled at times with the weight cut and has previously fought closer to 147.

Both fighters will undergo random drug testing through the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA), ensuring a clean contest.

Where’s Tank?

Adding another layer of intrigue to the August 16 date is the fact that Gervonta “Tank” Davis will also be fighting that night. He’s set to defend his WBA lightweight title in a rematch against Lamont Roach Jr. in Las Vegas.

That means two of the “Four Horsemen” will be in action on the same night, albeit on different continents. The contrast is stark—Davis defending a title in Vegas, Haney and Lopez clashing on Saudi Arabian soil. Yet it feels like fate is slowly drawing all four men toward eventual collisions.

Source: Official: Devin Haney-Teofimo Lopez signed for August 16 in Saudi Arabia

What About Ryan Garcia?

One name notably absent from this event is Ryan Garcia. After a controversial no-contest against Haney in 2024, many expected a rematch to be next. But Garcia’s loss to Rolando “Rolly” Romero on the same May 2 card derailed those plans.

Instead of giving Garcia another shot, Haney has moved on. And with Lopez available and coming off a big win of his own, the decision was clear.

Fans hoping for a Garcia rematch will have to wait. For now, the focus shifts to Haney-Lopez—a bout that many believe will be far more competitive, explosive, and meaningful.

Final Thoughts: A Superfight Without a Belt

In today’s boxing world, it’s easy to get lost in alphabet soup: WBA, WBC, IBF, and so on. But the fight between Devin Haney and Teofimo Lopez proves that you don’t need a championship to create a mega-event.

You need history. You need skill. You need a grudge.

And Haney vs. Lopez has all three.

Whether you’re a fan of the sweet science, a casual viewer drawn to drama, or someone who simply appreciates elite athleticism, August 16 is a date to circle. Two of the most talented and talked-about fighters of their generation are finally stepping into the same ring.

And when they do, the world will be watching.

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