Lopez's 2024 Ambition: Aiming for the Top Spot?

Juan Orengo, the head honcho and promoter of IBF bantamweight kingpin Subriel Matias, dropped a bomb: ex-champ Teofimo Lopez is game for a unification tussle with his fighter. "Teofimo's itching for a Feb 8 fight. But Subriel's nursing a left-hand hitch then. Count us in if we can square up for late March or early April. Ball's in their court," Orengo jabbed.

Matias, not pulling any punches, taunted Lopez on social media: "Fans are in for a treat. Brace yourself for loss number two, Teofimo."

Teofimo, talking a big game earlier, boasted he'd topple Matias inside four rounds. In 2023, Lopez nabbed the WBO bantamweight crown, toppling Josh Taylor, before hinting at hanging up his gloves.

Matias, on his end, outlasted Shohjahon Ergashev last November, marking his fifth straight win by making rivals throw in the towel.