Teofimo Lopez’s Ducking of Devin Haney Is an Insult to Boxing

Teofimo Lopez has once again disappointed boxing fans by backing out of a highly anticipated fight with Devin Haney. This was not just talk — it was a legitimate fight with a signed contract on Haney’s part, set for August 16 in Riyadh at a 145-pound catchweight.

Lopez was listed as No. 1 on the “hit list” posted to social media by Bill Haney, Devin’s father and manager. His name is now crossed off.

To say Devin Haney is frustrated would be an understatement. “I was looking forward to making this fight with Teo. It’s been in the works for a while now,” Haney said. “I thought this was the best time to make it happen. I did my part. We waited for days for Teo to sign his part of the contract, and he came out and said this isn’t a fight he wants to make.

“I’m still willing to make the biggest and best fights. I’m looking forward to working with His Excellency, Riyadh Season, and The Ring on the best possible opponent. Teo is a f---ing duck. No promoter should work with Teo because he wasted everybody’s time.”

On social media, even some of Lopez’s supporters have labeled him a “duck” — a damning term in boxing, signaling fear or avoidance of a worthy opponent. That reputation now threatens to stick. The implications are bigger than just bad PR: Lopez was offered $11 million, his largest purse yet, to fight Haney in Saudi Arabia, backed by Turki Alalshikh and the Kingdom.

Instead of addressing the decision himself, Lopez left it to his co-manager, Keith Connolly, who issued a statement: “We want to thank His Excellency for the opportunity and everything he has done for Teo. We planned on fighting, but with what was going on, he wanted to make sure he was 100 percent right mentally and physically, and August was just too quick of a turnaround.”

This explanation raises more questions than it answers. Both fighters last competed on the same night — May 2, in Times Square, during the Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves event. What happened between then and now that would prevent Lopez, who has defeated the now retired Vasiliy Lomachenko (along with Devin Haney), from accepting the biggest payday of his career?

Connolly added, “I expect Teo to be back later this year, bigger and better than ever.” But that’s hard to envision. Lopez has now walked away from fighting one of the sport’s best, for the second time. At this point, elite fights at 140 or 147 are the only route to a similar payday — and his credibility in securing those fights is in question.

Bill Haney, reflecting on the situation, said: “If Turki can’t make these big fights happen, then we might have to pray to God, because I don’t know what else it’s going to take. But we’re patient, and we believe. Devin’s mission is real. His hit list is real. And we look forward to continuing our quest to cement his face on the Mount Rushmore of boxing.

“Now go ahead and cross Teofimo Lopez off the list — just like Ryan Garcia. In an event labeled City of the Wolves, they ran home like puppy dogs. Who’s next?”

For Teofimo Lopez, “The Takeover” may be over.