Devin Haney and Teofimo Lopez agree deal for blockbuster showdown in Saudi Arabia on August 16

Devin Haney and Teofimo Lopez are set to lock-horns in a blockbuster catch-weight showdown on August 16, according to BoxingScene.

The two fighters have reportedly already signed the contracts presented to them by Turki Alalshikh's Riyadh Season, with the hugely-anticipated bout set to take place in Saudi Arabia.

Posting on their official website on Tuesday, BoxingScene reported:

'Devin Haney and Teofimo Lopez have each signed a contract to fight August 16 in Saudi Arabia, an official with knowledge of the negotiation told BoxingScene on Monday.

'The bout pitting the pair of two-division champions - who each won on the May 2 Times Square card in New York - is an anticipated clash of two of the so-called “Four Horsemen,” a phrase coined by member Ryan Garcia that also includes unbeaten lightweight titleholder Gervonta “Tank” Davis.

'The bout is expected to be fought at a catch-weight of 145 pounds, according to an official, and the pair have agreed to enroll in random drug testing administered by the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA).'

The news comes less than a week after Lopez had hinted that he had been 'fired' by Alalshikh after firing an insult 'His Excellency's' way via social media.

However, despite reports suggesting that a long-mooted affair with Haney could escape Lopez as a consequence of his actions, it now appears as though a contractual agreement has been reached.

Bill Haney, Devin’s father, trainer, and manager, has long sought a showdown with Lopez and even revealed that a clash with the New York native carried far more appeal to him than a potential fight with unified welterweight world champion Jaron 'Boots' Ennis.

“I thought you were looking for the big-money fight?"Haney Sr remarked about Lopez last month.

"That’s what you’ve complained about throughout your career - not being able to earn what you deserve, but now there’s nowhere else to run and no place to hide."

Lopez, the reigning WBO super-lightweight champion, overcame the previously unbeaten Barboza Jr on May 2, on the same card in which Haney saw off former unified 140lbs title-holder Jose Ramirez.

The expectation was that Haney and Ryan Garcia would reignite their rivalry in a rematch of their controversial first bout last year, but Garcia's shock defeat at the hands of Rolando Romero has, for now, put any notion of that bout to bed, and opened the door for Haney to pursue a showdown with Lopez.

Mark Mothershaw

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