“You Cannot Make Fight Happen Without…”: Devin Haney Reveals Reject Fight Offer From Teofimo Lopez

Following a knockout victory via unanimous decision in San Francisco, Devin Haney defeated Regis Prograis to win the WBC super-lightweight world title. Haney was already a star in the lightweight division.  Moving up in weight did not affect his techniques whatsoever. Haney is on his way to fight superstars, including big names like Ryan Garcia and Gervonta Davis. Now as a two-division champion, Haney is looking for a third title. The hometown favorite later said the move up in weight had only made him better.

Among the many names paired up with Haney, one is that of Teofimo Lopez. Lopez showed off his impressive performance against Josh Taylor in June. A fight against him would make for one of the best PPV bouts. Lopez also backed Prograis in the bout and asked him to bully Haney in the fight. Of late, it surfaced that ‘The Takeover’ had messaged Haney over a fight when Haney was a freelancer. In an interview, Haney put out his thoughts about it.

Devin Haney says Teofimo Lopez drunk-texted him

Lopez had called out Haney earlier this year post his win and an eventual retirement. In the interview with AKHi TV, Haney revealed his texts with Lopez. The boxer was initially confused when he received a text from Lopez. Looking at the content of it, he concluded that Lopez was possibly drunk. “The stuff he was saying was like so random and so just like off the law, So I was just like bro how you even get my number, he lied and said somebody gave him my number but it was somebody who don’t even have my number but I know who gave my number.”

Haney then proceeded to talk to Lopez about his contract with Top Rank and his pointless effort at making a fight. Haney said, “You cannot make a fight happen without getting a sign-off Top Rank.” The Dream declared the texts as nonsense and denied any confirmed fight between him and Lopez. No texting or banter would lead to any result unless Top Rank itself gets involved by showing interest in a possible fight. In a twist, however, Taylor, Prograis’ last opponent has entered the discussion.

Josh Taylor wants Devin Haney for a fight

Being the top dog in a division is a familiar feeling for  Taylor. After putting in years of effort, Taylor defeated Jose Ramirez in 2021 to win the final two titles at 140 pounds. On the other hand, even though he was up against someone who was thought to be bigger and stronger, Haney handled the 34-year-old with ease and went on to win the judges’ scorecard by a wide margin. Taylor was thoroughly impressed.

After a near-death experience with Prograis almost five years ago, seeing Haney dominate Prograis intrigued Taylor. In the end, ‘The Tartan Tornado’ hopes that Haney calls him out for a fight. “I’ll fight you champ!” Said Taylor. “I’ll give you the fight of your life! Catchweight, on your way to 147.” This might be Taylor’s chance at an indirect redemption.

Read More: Despite His Urgency To Fight, Ryan Garcia Needs To Wait for Devin Haney To Fight Gervonta Davis

Would a fight with Haney get Lopez to reverse his retirement and step into the ring? Haney himself does not seem too excited about the prospect but the boxing is also characterized by the unpredictability of it all. Who do you think will be the one to pull Lopez back again?

Watch This Story: Devin Haney Fires Shots At Shakur Stevenson After Edwin De Los Santos Disappointing Win