WBC champion Ryan Garcia in advanced talks to fight Teofimo Lopez in 2027
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The gist
WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia is in advanced talks to fight Teofimo Lopez in early 2027.
The unification could force Lopez to give up his WBA belt, reshaping the division.
Background
Ryan Garcia is the WBC welterweight champion, an American boxer known as 'King Ry'; Teofimo Lopez is the WBA (Super) welterweight title holder, also American. Garcia retained his title in September with a second-round knockout of Conor Benn in Las Vegas, then called Lopez out in the ring. Lopez had been ordered by the WBA to defend against mandatory challenger Jack Catterall, a Lancashire fighter, which complicates a Garcia fight.
How it unfolded
- Feb 2026Ryan Garcia won the WBC welterweight title by unanimous decision over Mario Barrios.
- Aug 2026Teofimo Lopez became WBA champion at 147lbs with a majority decision win over Rolando Romero.
- Sep 12, 2026After beating Conor Benn by second-round TKO to retain his WBC crown, Garcia called out Lopez in the ring; Lopez tried to enter the ring but was held back.
- Sep 22, 2026The WBA ordered Lopez to defend his title against Jack Catterall next, giving them 30 days (until Oct 22) to negotiate before purse bids.
- Oct 10, 2026Oscar De La Hoya said his relationship with Garcia can still be repaired and he wants a face-to-face meeting to map out Garcia's next five years.
- Oct 14, 2026IBF welterweight champion Liam Paro said he is willing to fight Garcia, aiming to defend in late 2026 and then face him in early 2027.
- Oct 15, 2026Journalist Mike Coppinger reported Garcia and Lopez are in 'advanced talks' to fight in the first quarter of 2027.
- Oct 16, 2026DAZN reported Garcia and Lopez appear poised to still contest their welterweight title fight, even if Lopez is forced to vacate his WBA (Super) crown to do so.
Who’s saying what
- Analysts
- Journalist Mike Coppinger said the Garcia-Lopez fight will happen regardless of the WBA's ruling, and that Catterall could end up being elevated.
- Party
- IBF champion Liam Paro said he will not sit on the sideline, plans to defend in late 2026, and hopes to 'snag Garcia early next year'.
- Party
- Oscar De La Hoya said his relationship with Garcia is 'very salvageable' and he hopes to sit down and map out Garcia's next five years.
Still unverified
No firm date or venue was included in the update, and the fight has yet to be announced; an appeal has been made by Lopez's team to prevent the Catterall fight from happening; DAZN's Chris Mannix reported Lopez could seek legal action to fight Garcia without losing his WBA belt; no official Zuffa offer has been confirmed.