Devin Haney versus Teofimo Lopez August 16 Fight Negotiations Collapse Riyadh

Negotiations for the highly anticipated Devin Haney vs. Teofimo Lopez fight, scheduled for August 16, 2025, in Riyadh, collapsed due to disagreements over the fight weight and Lopez's reluctance to finalize the bout. Haney wanted the fight at 147 pounds, Lopez at 140 pounds, and they tentatively agreed on a 145-pound catchweight, but Lopez reportedly stalled and eventually decided not to fight, leading Haney to publicly accuse him of avoidance. This cancellation follows Haney's earlier plans for a rematch with Ryan Garcia, which were also derailed after Garcia’s upset loss to Rolando Romero and subsequent hand surgery. Both Haney and Lopez had won their respective May 2 fights in Times Square, setting the stage for the proposed bout. The collapse has left Haney seeking other options while Lopez continues to defend his WBO light welterweight title. Prominent boxing journalists and insiders have highlighted the failed negotiations as a significant setback in the 2025 boxing calendar.