Tonight on X, Turki Al-Sheikh revealed his plans for a mini-tournament that will see Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis fight Teofimo Lopez at the Ryan Garcia vs. Devin Haney 2 card in October in Riyadh. The winners of those two fights will face each other in February, and the losers will meet on the same card.
Turki’s tournament
Turki says he has yet to speak with Matchroom, Golden Boy Promotions and PBC to inform them of his plans to use their fighters.
It’s tough for Teofimo Lopez (21-1, 13 KOs) to move up to 147 pounds to face what many fans believe is the King of the welterweight division, IBF champion Jaron Ennis.
When the smoke clears, these are the likely fights we’ll see in February.
- Jaron Ennis vs. Ryan Garcia – *Winners Group
- Devin Haney vs Teofimo Lopez – Losers Consolation
Lopez’s punching power gives him an excellent chance to beat Haney. At 147, Ennis would likely be too big, too strong and too experienced for Ryan.
Of course, Teofimo wants the fight with Ennis because it gives him a big payday and a chance to prove himself against an elite level fighter. As long as Teo is competitive in a losing effort, his stock will rise as he is now dumped at 140, languishing in a dead division and fighting no name opponent.
Looking at the matchups, this is an ideal situation for IBF welterweight champion Boots Ennis as he stands an excellent chance of being the last man standing. He will be a heavy favorite to defeat Teofimo in October and then the Garcia vs. Haney 2-winner to defeat. Ennis would have the size and experience advantage at 147 against any of the fighters in Turki’s proposed mini-tournament.
Ryan fights Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz in May, and Haney fights Jose Ramirez on the same card at Times Square in New York. None of these fights are gimmes for Ryan and Haney, but they don’t seem to like it, it doesn’t matter if they lose. Turki isn’t saying anything about Cruz or Ramirez having a chance to fight on his October card, but you’d have to believe he’ll use them in one of his events later.
Turki’s vision
it’s easy… fight in May then the big rematch in October and in the same card we will try Teo against BOOTS then the winner against the winner and loser against loser in February… have to discuss with our partners top rank and match room and golden boy and PBC 🥊🔥
— TURKI ALALSHIKH (@Turki_alalshikh) January 18, 2025
