By Norm Frauenheim
In a rare show of unity in boxing’s balkanized state, an alliance of promoters and a streaming service staged a news conference, introduced young fighters, plans, possibilities and one intriguing fight.
In a predictable counter and a sure sign that unity in boxing is still an oxymoron, a rival promotional entity sent out a news release announcing it had signed one of the game’s biggest names.
It was that kind of day. Pick a side? Not exactly, at least not for fans, who on Thursday witnessed an emerging battleground for control of the fight game.
On the unified side, there was Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) and DAZN with a blueprint for the rest of 2026, including an intriguing fight Aug. 22 featuring resilient champion Rolly Romero against Teofimo Lopez in Lopez’ welterweight debut at Las Vegas T-Mobile Arena.
For the entertaining Lopez, a shot at a third-division belt is a step up and perhaps away from his last fight, a one-sided loss at junior-welterweight to multi-division champion Shakur Stevenson in January.
“When I face the champion, I’ll be 29,’’ said Lopez, whose manager Keith Connolly said the Romero fight will launch Lopez into a series of mega-fights.. “I’ve got a lot of good prominent years left. I’m gonna answer all the questions on August 22.’’
Presumably, one will be a definitive answer to what happened against Stevenson, whose masterful performance against Lopez put him among the top five in the pound-for-pound debate.
Only Lopez’ volatile father and trainer, Teofimo Sr., referred to his son’s last fight in what was almost almost an aside during the newser. It didn’t resonate.
In an almost choreographed response, Zuffa followed up the Romero-Lopez newser by announcing what everybody already knew. Stevenson signed.
“Line them up, one-by one, and I’ll beat all the top guys once I get them in front of me,’’ the news release quoted Stevenson as saying. “With Zuffa Boxing, I’m going to go after the biggest fights in the sport and I will become the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world.’’
Who and when weren’t included in the Zuffa release. Teofimo Lopez wasn’t mentioned either. But the timing clearly said he was the target, probably just one of many in a rivalry still in its infancy.