Teofimo Lopez claims Ryan Garcia turned down fight; shifts focus to Shakur Stevenson

Who is Teofimo Lopez going to fight next?

If the current WBO junior welterweight champion is to be believed, you can cross Ryan Garcia off the list, while a current world champion has entered the conversation. Lopez took to his X account on Saturday and said his team reached out to Garcia's promoter at Golden Boy Promotions, Oscar De La Hoya, to discuss the potential megafight, but the offer was allegedly rebuffed by Team Garcia.

"My team told @OscarDeLaHoya we’d fight @RyanGarcia next, and his management turned it down." 

Before Lopez sent that message, he'd sent one on Friday evening, saying he wanted WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson and would then shift his focus to Garcia. 

"After I whoop on @ShakurStevenson and make him cry like the lil bitch he is .. I am calling out @RyanGarcia‘’." 

Lopez and Stevenson have been trading barbs at one another on social media talking about a potential clash, including Saturday morning.

Lopez (22-1, 13 KOs) is coming off a dominant performance in May, defeating Arnold Barboza via unanimous decision to retain the WBO belt. Meanwhile, Garcia (24-2, 20 KOs) fought on the same show, losing to Rolly Romero in the main event. 

Stevenson (24-0, 11 KOs) last competed in July, besting William Zepeda by unanimous decision to remain the WBC champion.

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