Ryan Garciaappears to be getting ahead of schedule again.
He announced his fight with Conor Benn more than eight weeks before it was official.
Now, during final preparations for his fight against Benn Saturday,
Sept. 12 in Las Vegas, Garcia said his next opponent will be Teofimo Lopez.
Garcia and Lopez appeared to confirm the fight in a phone call during Garcia’s appearance on a livestream. He failed to mention an important detail: The fight would hinge on Garcia (25-2, 20 KOs) defeating Benn (25-1, 14 KOs).
It’s worth noting that during a livestream earlier this year, Garcia said he would be fighting Lopez on July 25. That never happened.
But while Garcia’s announcements aren’t always reliable, fighting Lopez would be a logical move if Garcia can defend his WBC welterweight belt against Benn.
That would create an opportunity to unify the welterweight championship.
While Garcia owns the WBC belt, Lopez won the WBA belt Aug. 22 with a victory over Rolando “Rolly’’ Romero by majority decision.
If Garcia beats Lopez – yes, thinking down the road here -- that could lead to a long-awaited rematch between Garcia and Devin Haney.
Garcia demolished Haney in 2024, but the performance was tainted when Garcia tested positive for a banned substance.
Haney holds the WBO welterweight title.
Liam Paro holds the IBF welterweight title.
Beware, Conor Benn
Garcia is a healthy favorite over Benn. But Mike Tyson was a massive favorite over Buster Douglas. In other words, a victory for Garcia is not guaranteed.
Benn beating Garcia would not be a stunning upset, and it could have severe consequences for Garcia. He would lose his WBC title and a chance to fight Lopez next.
A loss also would be Garcia's second in his last three fights. Though he looked good in his victory over Mario Barrios by majority decision in February, he is not too far removed from a lackluster performance in his defeat against Romero in May 2025.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ryan Garcia targets next opponent as Conor Benn fight nears
