Devin Haney has signed to meet Teofimo Lopez at a surprise 145lbs catchweight, with Ryan Garcia left out in the cold.
Haney and Garcia both fought on the same bill in New York’s Times Square in May, with a view to setting up a rematch in October.
The former got his end of the bargain done, as he defeated Jose Ramirez in a lacklustre affair.
But incredibly Garcia was dropped and stopped by underdog Rolly Romero in a huge upset, which dented his hopes of meeting Haney again.
The pair had unfinished business, given Garcia fought and beat Haney last year, before the result was later overturned after he failed a drugs test.
And it appears that the chances of a sequel happening next are now at zero.
That is because Haney has instead signed to meet two-weight world champion Lopez in a mega showdown according to Boxing Scene.
The clash has been arranged at a catchweight limit of 145lbs, shy of the welterweight limit where the pair have both fought in the past.
It is set to land in Saudi Arabia on August 16 , and will see the event go up against Gervonta Davis‘ huge rematch with Lamont Roach.
Lopez’s appearance in the Middle East may come as a surprise, given he was ‘fired’ by Saudi boxing chief Turki Alalshikh.
But he recently issued an apology in a statement on social media, and it appears total agreement has now been reached.
‘The Takeover’ also fought on the same bill as Garcia and Haney, where he put on the display of the night in a superb victory over Arnold Barboza Jr.
And in the build-up to their appearances, Lopez and Haney engaged in verbal warfare at various media events.
And Haney’s father Bill has even dragged himself into the feud, insisting his son will get the job done in what is considered a true grudge affair.
He said: “It’s the ultimate grudge match that has to happen and there’s no better person that I have faith in than Turki Alalshikh to deliver this.
“Devin told me he will beat Teofimo for all the disrespect he has uttered, to tell him every round and take back every word he’s said disrespecting the cultures. He knows Devin is going to a punishment.
“We’ve beat pound-for-pound guys, we’ve travelled across all the water and we got all those things right.
“We did everything and that’s a clear indication of why Lopez wants to play these games, but let me tell you one thing about Devin: we’ve always been the hunters. We’re not the hunted.
“He’s not dodging us, he’s exposing himself and exposing how good Devin is.”`
Garcia now faces a period of uncertainty given his planned rematch with Haney is now off.
He will likely need a rebuild or could even put his name back into the ring of fire, by meeting Romero again in a new second instalment.
