Bob Arum Reveals Details of Teofimo Lopez’s Triple War Deal with the Saudis

Promoter Bob Arum revealed that the Saudis wanted to give Teofimo Lopez a three-fight deal, which he liked. Arum says it’s up to Lopez (21-1, 13 KOs) to give his “go-ahead.”

It is said that they want Teofimo to fight a good team, which will be dangerous because he seems to be in danger in many of his fights in the last four years. He turned down the Subriel Matias fight recently, and Devin Haney said there was an offer Teo refused.

Lopez did not want to be like George Kambosos Jr. again. after defeating him in 2021. This strange, self-defeating behavior prevented Teofimo from becoming very popular. Of course, taking those fights would have worked against Lopez, as he would have lost them all, and he will be even worse now.

The Saudis want Teofimo at the moment while he is still a little popular, but if he loses all three of their fights, he will be ‘the one the club needs.’ You will be in a lot of waste, and any organizer who wants to leave dumpster diving for Teo. He can be like another type of fighter of Rolly Romero who is good at promoting his fights but unreliable inside the ring.

Triple Combat Pact

“The Saudis came to us and talked about making a three-war deal with Teofimo, which we like very much. Now the ball is in Teofimo’s court to get his approval,” said Top Rank promoter Bob Arum speaking to Fighthype about Teofimo Lopez.

“The Saudis have stepped up, and as far as Top Rank is concerned, we are happy with the offer and the arrangement. Now, it’s up to Teofimo. I’ll be back in Vegas on Saturday, and I’ll be contacting Teofimo and his people to see where it goes from there.

“We are talking to the Saudis [about Teofimo fighting IBF light welterweight champion Richardson Hitchins]. We had a great relationship with Teo, but there comes a time when they want to fly a little on their own. That is not unusual. It is possible, but I think Teofimo will like the package presented by the Saudis, and we will move forward with him in that way,” said Arum.

Teofimo’s career could be on the line after his three-fight deal with the Saudis expires in early 2026, as none of the three have a good chance of winning. If these are the three fights Turki Al-Sheikh has for Lopez, he probably won’t be given to another rookie:

1. Richardson Hitchins – summer
2. Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis – October
3. Ryan Garcia vs. Devin Haney 2 winner or loser – February 2026

The loser of Garcia-Haney 2 is the worst of the three for Teo. Over the past four years, we’ve seen what Lopez looked like in his fights with Steve Claggett, Jamaine Ortiz, Sandor Martin, and George Kambosos Jr. .

The result

The Saudis will not throw mega-millions at Teofimo after he leaves 0-3 in their current contract. I saw Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom signing Lopez after his association with Turki and Top Rank expired. They recently signed Liam Smith, 36, who hasn’t fought in two years since 2023 and is coming off a knockout loss to Chris Eubank Jr.

If Matchroom were serious about signing Smith, they’d be all over Teo, and they’d invest in a rebuild like they did Anthony Joshua. He didn’t work with him, and he won’t work with Lopez if he’s coming off a three-fight losing streak. It’s not just those three battles.

Teofimo has been struggling since losing to Kambosos Jr. in 2021. He was saved by the judges who rescued him. Jamaine Ortiz again Sandor Martin. Top Rank helped Teo by not throwing him to the wolves by comparing him to the guys who were going to finish what Kambosos started.