Promoter Bob Arum says he hasn't given up on trying to set up a fight between Teofimo Lopez and Jaron “Boots” Ennis in early 2025. He wants to stage the fight between Lopez and IBF welterweight champion Ennis (33-0, 29 KOs) in Madison. Square Garden in New York.
The fight Arum wants
If Ennis-Lopez happens, Arum will have to make a big offer to encourage Potts and his promoter, Eddie Hearn, to accept it. Philadelphia remains focused on a unification fight next against a 147-year-old champion.
It must be a nightmare for Hearn, who signed Ennis to a multi-fight contract in April earlier this year. He has fought twice against David Avanesyan and Karen Chukhadzhian in low-profile contests that failed to generate much interest.
Potts has refused to move up to 154 to challenge interim WBC champion Virgil Ortiz Jr. on February 22, and is also said to be not interested in fighting Teofimo, even though it would make a lot of money.
“We're still following that fight. We'd love for that fight to happen. Have people talking to the people of Ennis. We want to make the biggest fight we can for Teofimo after the start of the year,” Bob Arum said. Combat Center TVabout the desire to hold a fight between Teofimo Lopez and IBF welterweight champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis in early 2025.
“If it's Ennis, the best place for this fight is Madison Square Garden. He's so good, they don't want to fight him (Teofimo). We offered the fight to Haney, and Haney didn't want it. We'll find a big fight for Teofimo. He's a great talent and character.” Great, and will do very well at the box office and at PPV.
“We're ready. It's up to the opponent and their people. I'm here in Saudi Arabia, so I'm not working on it, but the guys back home, Moret and Jeremy, are working on it every day. I like Telofimo because he's a talent,” Arum said of a match between Boots Ennis and Ortiz. “Great, but it's definitely a fight with close betting odds that will create a lot of interest.”
If Arum can't make the Ennis-Ortiz fight, he will have to consider Teofimo becau options. He hasn't had an interesting matchup since his bout in 2020 against Vasiliy Lomachenko on 20
“Maybe Haney, but he doesn't seem to have much interest in the fight, Haney,” Arum said when asked what the biggest fight out there is for Teofimo. “We'll see when we get back. We'll all get together and see who's the best guy available, and that's who we'll fight,” Arum said.
