Ryan Garcia pushes Teofimo Lopez toward December

Garcia wants Lopez next, but May 2027 remains the preferred window

Ryan Garcia has challenged Teofimo Lopez to a bout in December, to which Lopez responded by revealing May 2027 as his preferred date for the welterweight unification bout.

Ryan Garcia holds the WBC title, while Teofimo Lopez won the WBA belt in August. Both fighters are very interested in a unification bout, but Teofimo Lopez has another obligation first: the WBA has mandated a fight against Jack Catterall. The negotiation deadline for this is reportedly October 22. Ryan Garcia, however, is not really willing to accept this and is once again making his demand clear on X.

“Literally no one really wants the smoke in boxing what’s actually going on??? Yall really scared??? Teo does December sound good to go???”

he wrote there.

Teofimo Lopez reacted relatively calmly to this and simply replied that he had reportedly already met with Golden Boy and set a date for a fight in May 2027. However, that doesn’t mean a fight is certain yet, only the planned date seems to be set. If Teofimo Lopez does indeed face Jack Catterall this year, a fight would be difficult to arrange anyway. He can’t do anything about a mandatory defense, and giving up the title wouldn’t be a sensible option either. Ryan Garcia would still have the option to face Isaac Cruz this year, which would, of course, make things very attractive again. So, what do you think? Will the two of them face off in May of next year?

I think the fight will happen, but I see it a little differently than Ryan Garcia. If Isaac Cruz has to defend his title, then so be it, and I think he should stick with that. Sure, I'd love to see the matchup between the two of them, but that fight can wait a little longer. What do you guys think?