Report: Teofimo Lopez finalizing March 15 title fight vs. Matias
WBO junior welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez has his next opponent in sight.
Lopez and Subriel Matias are finalizing an agreement for a 140-pound title fight March 15, sources told ESPN's Mike Coppinger.
The fight will be aired as part of a pay-per-view card on ESPN+. A location for the bout isn't set, although it will take place in the United States, according to Coppinger.
Lopez, 27, will be looking for his third successful defense of the WBO junior welterweight title. "The Takeover" first claimed the title by beating Josh Taylor in 2023 and most recently defended it via unanimous decision against Steve Claggett this past June.
Lopez owns a 21-1 professional record with 13 victories via knockout. The Brooklyn native held multiple titles at lightweight before moving up a class two years ago.
Matias, meanwhile, is hoping to become a champion for the second time in his career. He won the IBF junior welterweight belt in February 2023 and successfully defended it once before he lost the title to Liam Paro on June 15, 2024. The Puerto Rico native rebounded from that defeat by scoring a second-round KO of Roberto Ramirez in November.
The 32-year-old is 21-2 as a professional, with all of his victories coming via knockout.