Ryan Garcia Exposes Teofimo Lopez’s Lies Over Fight Rejection
Ohana Magazine – Ryan Garcia has accused Teofimo Lopez of lying about why their fight hasn’t happened. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Garcia claimed that Oscar De La Hoya and his management team never turned down the bout. Lopez had stated he wanted to face “Kingry” next, but Garcia dismissed that as nothing more than a “big lie.”
With a record of 24 wins, 2 losses, and 20 knockouts, Garcia remains determined to face Lopez in the ring. He insists that if Lopez truly doesn’t want the fight, he should come forward and say so openly instead of creating false narratives.
The Options on the Table for Lopez
Lopez’s choices appear limited. One path would be to fight Ryan Garcia in what could become the biggest payday of his career. Another route is a bout with Shakur Stevenson, which likely brings less money and carries the risk of questionable judging — the kind William Zepeda recently endured.
From a financial perspective, the Garcia fight makes sense. However, Lopez may hesitate because of Garcia’s lethal left hook, the same weapon that floored Devin Haney three times last year.
Why Fabricate the Story?
The mystery is why Lopez would fabricate such a claim when it’s easy to fact-check. Spreading a story that Garcia’s team rejected the fight almost guaranteed a public rebuttal. It’s not a smart play unless there’s more to the story behind the scenes.
Some have speculated that Golden Boy Promotions could have quietly turned down the bout without Garcia’s knowledge. That scenario seems unlikely, though, since they would know Lopez would quickly reveal the decision online. If Lopez is claiming Golden Boy refused, it might be more about avoiding a risky opponent than anything else.
Risk vs. Reward
Facing Garcia presents a different set of dangers than fighting Stevenson. Shakur is known for his precise jab but lacks knockout power, which reduces the threat of a sudden finish. Garcia, on the other hand, possesses fight-ending power that could not only defeat Lopez but also derail his career momentum.
Ultimately, whether the fight happens depends on Lopez’s willingness to take the risk — and whether both sides can settle their differences without more public back-and-forth.
