Ryan Garcia says champions should fight often as Teofimo Lopez option surfaces

Garcia says limited options leave Teofimo Lopez as main target despite weight difference

Ryan Garcia says his next fight options are limited, leaving Teofimo Lopez as the name in front of him. The potential matchup hinges on whether Lopez is willing to move up to 147.

“Well, I don’t have many options,” Ryan said in a clip shared by Ring Magazine when asked about facing Teofimo next. “Devin Haney ducked me. Shakur just ducked me. So, I got one option. But for Teofimo to come to 147, it’s going to be hard for him. But he said he’s down.”

The comment puts Teofimo into immediate focus as Ryan looks to line up his next fight. The weight difference sits at the center of it. Garcia is working at 147, while Lopez has been competing at a lower division, which Ryan acknowledged as a hurdle for negotiations and timing.

For Garcia, it gives him his best chance to get a nice payday against a star in a winnable fight.

Teofimo is coming off a one-sided loss to Shakur Stevenson at 140 on January 31, 2026. He would need to move up to 147 if he wants to challenge Ryan for his WBC welterweight strap.

Ryan has also been clear about how he views his position as a titleholder. He said recently that champions should stay active and not go long stretches without fighting. “I’m the world champ now. I think the world champ should fight often,” Garcia said during a separate stream appearance with N3on, reinforcing that he wants to return quickly and stay visible in the division.

That stance lines up with his push for a summer date. Garcia indicated he is ready to fight in July if the right opponent is secured, and the Teofimo option now sits at the front of that comment. He also agreed with the suggestion that opponents have been difficult to secure, pointing to a lack of available fights at the moment.

The situation leaves Ryan in a narrow lane. He has named Teofimo, acknowledged the weight issue, and tied it to his push to remain active as a champion. Whether Lopez moves up or the talks shift elsewhere, Ryan has made it clear he is not looking to wait and wants the next fight finalized soon.