Teofimo Lopez’s Team Targets Subriel Matias For A Unification
Teofimo Lopez’s team wants a unification fight against Subriel Matias at 140.
The ‘Takeover’ is the current WBO junior welterweight champion after having beating Josh Taylor to become a two-weight world champion. As for Matias, the IBF champion is in impressive form. The fighter has stopped his last five opponents, making them retire from the fights in the process. Lopez had reportedly turned down an offer to fight Ryan Garcia for $1.5 million.
“When you’re the best, when you are the guy, when you bring major sponsors, endorsements, big major business deals, when you offer me a 1.5 [million dollars] stake in the piece—f—k you. So yeah I declined the offer. What’s next for me is worldwide takeover, that’s what’s next,” Lopez said
Oscar De La Hoya denied that the offer had been made. The figure would not have met Lopez’s desire to fight for nine-figure paydays. If the fight does get made, a win for Lopez takes him a step closer to undisputed at 140. And by the looks of it, attempts are being made to make the fight.
Lopez Vs. Matias
“Just spoke to the manager of Subriel Matias, the IBF champion. Confirmed that Teofimo Lopez and his team sent an offer to fight in February Super Bowl weekend. Unfortunately, Matias’ team had to turn it down due to a hand injury. They are now working on rescheduling the fight for April after therapy. A person with Knowledge of the situation tells me Teo is fighting on his Date of February. Teofimo Lopez showing huge Heart,” Boxing Voice
One factor that has prevented Lopez from getting those big fights has been his commercial value. Eddie Hearn blamed Lopez’s financial demands for damaging his career. Lopez has one the best resumes in the sport. However, Hearn outlined how Lopez’s self-inflated valuation of himself damaged his career. Unlike the junior welterweights, Lopez has struggled to appeal to the broader boxing fanbase.
Ryan Garcia’s fight with Gervonta Davis sold over 1.2 million PPVs, making it the highest-grossing event of 2023. That earned Garcia $30 million. Meanwhile, Devin Haney has sold out the Chase Centre in San Francisco for his upcoming fight with Regis Prograis. Until Lopez does a similar thing, the boxer will have to rethink the financials.
Lopez’s Value
“Teofimo is one of those guys [that has unrealistic financial expectations for his fights]…You can’t sell out the theater [Hula] at the Garden. It’s non-pay-per-view on ESPN. All the numbers are mathematical and factual.
“Unless the promotional company wants to lose several million dollars for doing the fight, it cannot happen. He’s a tremendous personality. I think he’s great for boxing, but you’re going to frustrate your career. You’re going to have zero activity. He could have fought twice since the Josh Taylor fight [last June] if it’s the right money,” Hearn stated
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