Teofimo Lopez to snub Devin Haney undisputed fight to target Josh Taylor

Lopez’s father has revealed that the lightweight champion will be pursuing a showdown with undisputed super-lightweight champion Taylor instead of unifying the division with Haney

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Josh Taylor slams Teofimo Lopez as he talks next fight

Teofimo Lopez will target a showdown with undisputed 140lbs champion Josh Taylor over a planned lightweight tilt with Devin Haney.

Lopez will defend his lightweight titles against George Kambosos Jr this weekend, returning to the ring for the first time since dethroning Vasyl Lomachenko last year.

He was then expected to target long-time rival Haney providing he comes through his title defence against JoJo Diaz next month.

But his father Teofimo Lopez Sr expects him to make a switch up to 140lbs and expects Bob Arum to promote a colossal showdown with Taylor instead.

“We want Josh Taylor next,” Lopez Sr said at a press event. “You heard that Josh, we want you next buddy and we want you bad.

“[Josh should] stop it with the bulls*** that we still got on settle business at 135 [pounds with Kambosos]. 135 is done!

“We are moving up to 140. We don’t need a tune-up fight, we’re coming straight for you buddy, so take the freaking fight.

“It’s going to be big and we could do it where ever you want. Bob Arum’s gonna make it happen in spring, so you better be ready.”

Lopez has been called out by multiple opponents at lightweight including Gervonta Davis and Haney who both hold untarnished records.

And the 24-year-old confronted Haney at the event headlined by Mikey Garcia’s shock defeat by Sandor Martin with the pair feuding in front of the cameras.

The pair initially agreed to face each other after their upcoming challenges against Kambosos and Diaz.

Matchroom Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn also previously stated that he is planning to stage an undisputed clash after shaking hands to agree the fight with Lopez.

Who would you prefer to see Teofimo Lopez face- Josh Taylor or Devin Haney? Let us know in the comments section below

“I said to him tonight, ‘Teofimo Lopez will fight you.’ He said he won’t. I said, ‘I reckon he will.’ He said, ‘I’m telling you he won’t’,” Hearn told DAZN News after the incident.

“And when he turned up tonight, someone shouted something and he went over and they got head-to-head. He said, ‘Look, I’m going to f*** you up.’ I said (to Haney and Lopez), ‘Guys, you are fighting on DAZN, which is great.

“Teo, you are fighting George Kambosos and Devin, you are hopefully fighting JoJo Diaz. It’s the week after each other. Let’s make the fight.’ And then everybody started up and arguing for about 20 minutes.

“I said, ‘Guys, can we just get one thing clear to Teo’s dad: We want the fight.’ He (Lopez Sr.) said, ‘No, we want the fight.’ I said, ‘Well then, let’s stop arguing, get through our fights and get it made.’

“I know Devin will fight him and I do believe Teo will fight him. I think you will see that fight in spring of next year.”

However Lopez Sr’s latest comments will cast doubt on the undisputed tilt with Lopez preferring to pursue Scottish champion Taylor.

But Taylor will first need to complete his mandatory defence against domestic rival Jack Catterall on a rescheduled date in February next year.