TEOFIMO Lopez and Jaron Ennis are seemingly edging closer towards a potential showdown, with negotiations between both parties beginning to take shape.
Talks of the pair’s mooted clash, tentatively targeted for later this year, have gathered momentum since WBO world super-lightweight champion Lopez teased a move up to 147lbs.
‘The Takeover’ comes off a comprehensive title defence against Arnold Barboza Jr, dominating the majority of rounds before claiming his unanimous decision victory.
Leading up to that point, though, a string of uninspiring performances against Jamaine Ortiz and Steve Claggett had removed much of the lustre surrounding his elite-level status.
Two scintillating performances against Vasyl Lomachenko and Josh Taylor had, after all, seen Lopez enter the majority of fans’ pound-for-pound lists.
But now, it would appear that the 27-year-old is hoping to become a three-division world champion and, in doing so, remind the boxing fraternity of his undeniable talent.
Ennis, meanwhile, claimed his WBA world welterweight title – while also defending his IBF strap – after dethroning Eimantas Stanionis with a sixth-round stoppage victory last month.
It was a punishing but masterful display that largely announced ‘Boots’ as a top pound-for-pound operator, with the American now setting his sights on the undisputed crown.
But with fellow champions Mario Barrios and Brian Norman Jr pencilling in upcoming assignments, the 27-year-old must now consider alternative options.
One of which, of course, could be a less appealing matchup with WBA mandatory challenger Shakhram Giyasov, who has been left waiting in the wings for his opportunity.
And yet, should Ennis reach a deal to face Lopez instead, it would seem that Giyasov must agree to extend his patience – perhaps by taking step aside money – in order for the Philadelphian to retain his WBA belt.
Either way, Lopez has already begun to pile on the pressure for him to sign on the dotted line.
He wrote on X yesterday: “They’re playing mind games on you [Ennis]; don’t listen to them and agree to the terms!”
