Negotiations Fail: De La Hoya Supports Teofimo's Decision To Dodge Haney

James

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Post on Jun 06, 2025

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Negotiations Fail: De La Hoya Supports Teofimo's Decision to Dodge Haney

Oscar De La Hoya throws his weight behind Teófimo López's decision to forgo a highly anticipated clash with Devin Haney, citing concerns over the proposed fight terms. The boxing world is abuzz after negotiations for a unification bout between lightweight champions Teófimo López and Devin Haney spectacularly collapsed. This leaves fans wondering what's next for both fighters and raises questions about the future of the lightweight division.

The highly anticipated matchup, which would have unified the WBC, WBA, IBF, and WBO lightweight titles, fell apart due to disagreements over contract specifics, according to sources close to both camps. While official details remain scarce, reports suggest significant discrepancies concerning the purse split and other contractual obligations proved insurmountable.

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De La Hoya's Backing of López:

Oscar De La Hoya, the legendary boxer and promoter of Teófimo López through Golden Boy Promotions, has publicly voiced his support for López's decision to walk away from the deal. In a recent statement, De La Hoya expressed concerns about the fairness of the proposed terms, suggesting that they did not adequately reflect López's status as a champion and his significant contribution to the sport.

"Teófimo is a champion, and he deserves a deal that reflects his value," De La Hoya stated. "We felt the offer wasn't fair, and we weren't going to compromise his worth." This statement hints at a potential power struggle between promotional companies and the inherent complexities of negotiating multi-million dollar boxing matches.

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What Happens Next? The Future of the Lightweight Division:

The failure to agree on terms leaves both fighters' futures uncertain. Haney, currently holding the WBC franchise and undisputed lightweight titles, will likely pursue other options, perhaps targeting a different top contender. López, having recently suffered a loss to George Kambosos Jr., will need to strategically rebuild his momentum. This could involve facing lesser-known opponents to regain confidence and build a winning streak, or perhaps seeking a rematch with Kambosos.

The collapse of these negotiations highlights the challenges involved in unifying titles in boxing. The intricacies of promotional deals, purse splits, and the competing interests of various stakeholders often create significant hurdles. This leaves fans frustrated and questioning the transparency and fairness of the sport's promotional landscape.

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Impact on the Fans:

The news has been met with significant disappointment from boxing fans worldwide who were eagerly awaiting the unification bout. Many have taken to social media to express their frustration and concerns regarding the future of the sport. This underscores the high stakes involved in these mega-fights and the significant impact they have on the overall interest and engagement within the boxing community.

Looking Ahead: While the current situation is far from ideal, both López and Haney remain prominent figures in the lightweight division. It's likely we will see both fighters back in the ring soon, pursuing different paths to reclaim their status as top contenders. This leaves the boxing world in anticipation, awaiting the next big announcement in the lightweight championship race. The question remains: will we ever see a López vs. Haney showdown? Only time will tell.

Keywords: Teofimo Lopez, Devin Haney, Oscar De La Hoya, boxing, lightweight, unification fight, negotiations, contract dispute, boxing news, Golden Boy Promotions, WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO.