BOXING power broker Turki Alalshikh has mapped out the next three fights for Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis and Teofimo Lopez.
According to Alalshikh, the two American stars will lock horns in October, with the winner taking on whoever emerges victorious in Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney’s mooted rematch.
But before then, both Ennis, 33-0 (29 KOs), and Lopez, 21-1 (13 KOs), must stay in the win column ahead of what promises to be another Riyadh Season extravaganza.
‘Boots’ comes off a unanimous decision victory in his rematch with mandatory challenger Karen Chukhadzhian, producing a somewhat lacklustre display to retain his IBF world welterweight title.
Regardless of his performance, the 27-year-old has established himself as one of the sport’s most exciting pound-for-pound talents, adopting an explosive and dynamic style to remain unbeaten.
The immediate goal for Ennis, though, is to become the unified king at 147 lbs, with WBA titlist Eimantas Stanionis reportedly being targeted as his next opponent.
In fact, ESPN boxing journalist Mike Coppinger has revealed that their matchup is slated for April, with the pair headlining a Matchroom card on DAZN.
But while an announcement for Ennis’ next assignment appears to be edging closer, Lopez seemingly remains a fair distance away from securing an opponent.
The WBO super lightweight titlist turned down an offer to face former world champion Subriel Matias in March, claiming that he was unhappy with the deal his promoter, Top Rank, had presented.
What is more, it appears that ‘The Takeover’ is looking to end his relationship with Top Rank before jumping up to take on Ennis at welterweight.
