Teofimo Lopez and Richardson Hitchins Close to Signing Fight Contract

WBO junior welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez (21-1, 13 KOs) and IBF titleholder Richardson Hitchins (19-0, 7 KOs) are close to finalizing a deal for a unification bout, The Ring reports.

The fight is expected to take place as part of one of the Riyadh Season boxing events, with May or June being the most likely timeframe.

Recently, the World Boxing Organization (WBO) ordered Lopez to make a mandatory title defense against the winner of Jack Catterall vs. Arnold Barboza, scheduled for February 15 in Manchester. The WBO set a deadline of 180 days from the date of that fight for Lopez to defend his title.

However, according to the report, this WBO ruling will not prevent Lopez from facing Hitchins in a high-profile unification showdown.

Lopez last fought in June, securing a unanimous decision victory over Steve Claggett. In December, Hitchins edged Liam Paro via split decision, claiming the IBF junior welterweight title.