Jack Catterall Corners Teofimo Lopez With WBA Order
The WBA gave Lopez 30 days to reach a deal or face a purse bid, blocking his planned unification fight with Ryan Garcia.
- The WBA has officially ordered WBA Super Champion Teofimo Lopez to defend his title against Jack Catterall, establishing a 30-day negotiation period ending October 22, 2026.
- Lopez became WBA Super Champion last month after defeating Rolando Romero, but the American has been campaigning to face WBC champion Ryan Garcia in a unification bout instead.
- Manager Keith Connolly disputed the order, claiming the WBA gave verbal assurances the fight would not be ordered, stating, "We were told something different by WBA."
- With 33 career wins, Catterall has rejected stepping aside again and told Lopez on X, "I'll come to America and get my belt."
- If the parties fail to reach an agreement by October 22, 2026, the WBA may order a purse bid, potentially allowing Matchroom to stage the bout in Britain.
14 Articles
14 Articles
The World's WBA Champion Theophilo Lopez is about to give up the championship belt, choosing not to go out to defend him and planning more interesting fights.
Teofimo Lopez Still Won’t Commit To Jack Catterall Fight
Teofimo Lopez has been ordered to fight Jack Catterall, and a day later he still hasn’t said he’ll do it. His team is discussing its options while the mandatory challenger ... Teofimo Lopez Still Won’t Commit to Jack Catterall Fight @ Boxing News 24/7
WBA announces final decision on Teofimo Lopez's next opponent with 30 day deadline set
Teofimo Lopez had hoped to move straight into a unification bout against Ryan Garcia, but a mandatory order looks set to prevent that. Lopez beat Rolando Romero for the WBA welterweight world title last month, and had made it clear that he was doing all he could to ignore mandatory challenger Jack Catterall to instead […]
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