Teofimo Lopez has claimed a big name world champion has refused to face him.
Lopez is the reigning WBO super-lightweight champion, having previously defeated Vasily Lomachenko to become unified world champion at lightweight prior to stepping up to 140lbs after losing those belts to George Kambosos Jr.
He won the WBO super-lightweight belt with a victory over Josh Taylor in June 2023, and after two underwhelming defences against Jamaine Ortiz and Steve Claggett, he then took on Arnold Barboza at Times Square in New York earlier this month.
Lopez appeared to be back to his best against Barboza, defeating his previously unbeaten opponent by unanimous decision after scores of 116-112, 116-112 and 118-110 to keep hold of his title.
It was hoped that Lopez could then be set for a huge showdown against current unified welterweight champion Jaron Ennis, but those plans appear to have been scuppered after Teofimo claimed on social media that ‘Boots’ had refused to face him.
“Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis has declined the fight against I for his WBA, IBF, Ring Magazine championship titles at the Welterweight division, aka 147lbs.”
Ennis is the current IBF and WBA welterweight champion, having first become world champion at 147lbs when he was elevated from IBF interim status after Terence Crawford moved up to super-welterweight.
‘Boots’ unified the division last time out, stopping Eimantas Stanionis inside six rounds to add the WBA strap to his collection, with talk immediately turning to the proposed clash with Lopez.
With that fight now seemingly off the table, Ennis could look to further unify the division by facing either WBO champion Brian Norman Jr, or the winner of the WBC welterweight title clash between Mario Barrios and Manny Pacquiao in July.
However, promoter Eddie Hearn has made no secret that his charge can struggle making the 147 weight limit, so this may be a sign that a move to 154 is coming sooner than expected.
