Oscar De La Hoya is keen on setting up a fight between Ryan Garcia and Teofimo Lopez for the WBO light welterweight title on February 10th, coinciding with Super Bowl weekend. De La Hoya believes the match-up would be an exciting event for fans, but it remains to be seen if Top Rank, Teofimo’s promoters, will agree to the bout. While the fight is considered highly winnable for Teofimo, it could also be a lucrative opportunity, making it likely that Top Rank would be on board.
Before this potential blockbuster, Ryan Garcia has a tune-up fight scheduled for November 18 against an as-yet-unnamed opponent. De La Hoya has been tight-lipped about who Garcia will face, but given that Garcia is coming off a loss to Gervonta Davis, it's unlikely to be a top-tier contender. This has led to criticism, as many feel that Garcia could get a title shot against Teofimo after just one comeback fight, while other hardworking, undefeated contenders like Arnold Barboza Jr. and Gary Antuanne Russell are not given similar opportunities.
The fight carries risks for both parties. For Teofimo, facing a lower-ranked opponent like Garcia could be seen as avoiding more formidable contenders. For Garcia, a loss could severely hamper his boxing career, leading to speculation that he might retire and focus on other ventures like modeling or acting. De La Hoya, however, remains optimistic, stating in an interview that Garcia and Teofimo would make for a “lot of fun” on Super Bowl weekend.
In summary, while the proposed fight between Ryan Garcia and Teofimo Lopez has the potential to be a crowd-pleaser and a financial success, it also raises questions about fairness and the meritocracy in boxing. The bout could be a pivotal moment for both fighters, but it also exposes the sport’s underlying issues related to matchmaking and title opportunities.
Image Credit: X