news 
Teofimo Lopez has announced his next move, and it’s a significant shift from previous plans. According to reports, he is in the process of finalizing a deal to face off against Subriel Matias on March 15 for an ESPN+ pay-per-view event.
This new development comes after Lopez had previously offered a bout with Devin Haney, which was rejected. The WBO super lightweight champion has also been linked to a potential fight with Jaron “Boots” Ennis, although that possibility seems to have fizzled out as well.
In contrast, the match-up against Matias presents an opportunity for Lopez to face off against more formidable opposition. Subriel Matias is a former IBF junior welterweight title holder who recently suffered a loss to Liam Paro in June. However, he bounced back with a unanimous decision victory over Richardson Hitchins, and is now looking to regain his title.
This fight offers an intriguing narrative for fans of the sport. As a native New Yorker and Puerto Rican fighter, Lopez has the potential to draw a large and enthusiastic crowd should the event take place in New York City. The presence of such a strong local following could create an electric atmosphere, making this bout a must-watch for many.
However, it remains to be seen whether this fight will generate enough buzz to justify a pay-per-view event. As it stands, it’s challenging for fighters outside of the top tier (Terence Crawford, Gervonta Davis, Canelo Alvarez, Tyson Fury, and Anthony Joshua) to secure an opponent that warrants a pay-per-view broadcast.
In light of this development, many in the boxing community are left wondering about the future plans of Haney and Ennis. Neither fighter seems to have secured their next bout, with Haney still reeling from his loss against Ryan Garcia in March and Ennis taking criticism for his recent victory over Karen Chukhadzhian.
Ennis had previously been linked to a potential fight at 154 pounds against Vergil Ortiz Jr. on the February 22 card in Saudi Arabia, although that matchup ultimately fell through. Now, it’s possible that he could face off against Haney at 147 pounds, which would be an extremely significant bout for both fighters and one the community would eagerly follow.
It remains to be seen how this situation plays out, but one thing is clear: Teofimo Lopez has opted to pivot towards a more challenging opponent in Matias, rather than pursuing his original options.
Source: www.forbes.com
