Teofimo Lopez withdraws from Devin Haney Fight: What happened and what next
The world of boxing was preparing for a huge duel between Teofimo Lopez and Devin Haney, scheduled for August 16, 2025 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. According to Boxingscene and The Ring Magazine with a 145-pound fight, reportedly agreed by both fighters and the Ring magazine, he promised that there would be a clash of the Titans. However, the fight collapsed, and Lopez withdrew, leaving fans disappointed and Haney. Here are the latest from this developing saga.
Leading
Lopez-Haney’s competition has been weighing for years, and both warriors have been in a slight division before they rise up. On May 2, 2025, in Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theater Lopez (22-1, 13 KO) defended his WBO and Ring Magazine Junior titles against Arnold Barboz Jr. Based on a unanimous decision, although some criticized his showboating. Haney (32-0, 1 NC, 15 KO) overtook Jose Ramirez on the same card, establishing a scene for a potential great fight. Saudi boxing Turki’s spell Alalshikh, a key player in the latest noisy fights, pressed on a duel, with contracts reportedly signed for the Pay-Per-View Dazn event.
Fall
The contract broke up when Lopez refused to finalize his commitment. On June 3, 2025, Haney replied to X, stating: “The fight with Teo is not signed! I signed my role and Teo stops … is officially the biggest 🦆👎🏽.” He said Sports Illustrated: “Teo is a duck … he wasted time.” Earlier, Lopez’s Tweets criticizing Alalshikha briefly stopped the conversations, although he apologized on May 31, 2025 and negotiations resumed. Despite this, Lopez finally left.
Possible reasons for Lopez’s fluctuations include financial disputes – Haney reportedly demanded a robust bag, after rejecting the Lopez offer of $ 2.4 million in 2024 – or fears about Haney’s technical efficiency. Lopez’s last performances, although victorious, have been examined and can avoid a challenging stylistic duel.
Reactions and subsequent steps
Haney is now looking for another great fight, and Alalshikh will probably determine the best opponent at 140 or 147 pounds, maybe Jaron Ennis or Ryan Garcia. He emphasized his readiness to face the best, saying: “I can’t wait for working with Riyad on the best possible opponent.” Lopez, hushed about this matter, faces the criticism of Haney’s repealed. His next move – whether it is a safer fight or a bold challenge, such as Ennis – will shape his heritage.
Fans into X are divided, and some call Lopez to avoid Haney and others to Spectoa that he will be a different path. The fall emphasizes the challenges related to the conduct of vast fights in boxing, in which the ego and finances often interfere.