- Ring Magazine’s Mike Coppinger reports that Ryan Garcia and Teofimo Lopez are in advanced talks to fight in the first quarter of 2027
- It would be a 147lb unification of Garcia’s WBC welterweight title and Lopez’s WBA (Super) welterweight title, with no venue or broadcaster reported yet
- My prediction, if it gets made: Lopez by decision, with Garcia’s left hook the one thing that could change it
Garcia v Lopez: Advanced Talks For Early 2027
Right then. The welterweight division might be about to get its headline fight. Ring Magazine’s Mike Coppinger reports that Ryan Garcia and Teofimo Lopez are in advanced talks to fight in the first quarter of 2027. It would be at 147 pounds, and it would unify Garcia’s WBC welterweight title with Lopez’s WBA (Super) welterweight title. No venue and no broadcaster have been reported yet.
Coppinger also says he believes the fight will happen regardless of what the WBA decides on its mandatory challenger, which is the situation I covered in my WBA welterweight deadline piece. Let’s not beat around the bush, though: this is a report, not an announcement, and these two have been round this track before. Garcia denied the earlier February reports last month, so I will believe it when there is a signed contract and a date.
Why This Fight Works
Make no mistake, on paper it is brilliant. Garcia has the fastest hands in the division and a left hook that can turn any fight on its head. Lopez is the more complete boxer, with sharp counters, good footwork and the confidence of a man who has won titles at the highest level. It is a clash of styles, and it is a clash of personalities, and both of them know how to sell a fight. I called for this match-up in my piece on Garcia’s call-out and I stand by it.
The Stakes
Two belts, two big names and a clear path to the biggest fights at welterweight. The winner walks away as the face of the division. The loser has some serious thinking to do, because there is nowhere to hide in a unification fight with this much noise behind it.
My Prediction
Lopez by decision. Garcia will land the hook at some stage, and when he does, the building will go off. But over twelve rounds I think Lopez’s counters, his footwork and his ability to stay calm under pressure give him the edge on the scorecards. If you know, you know: Garcia is a dangerous man for three minutes at a time, but Lopez is a danger for thirty-six. That is the difference. Get the contract signed and get it on.