WBA orders Teofimo Lopez to face Jack Catterall with October 22 deadline

The World Boxing Association has ordered Teofimo Lopez to defend his welterweight title against Jack Catterall, setting October 22 as the deadline for the two camps to reach an agreement. BBC Sport reported that Catterall must be next under the ruling, despite Lopez's efforts to arrange a unification fight against WBC champion Ryan Garcia.

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The proposed contest would bring together the WBA's two title-holders at 147 pounds. Lopez holds its Super championship, while Catterall has the secondary World title. According to Uncrowned's reporting, a meeting between them would consolidate those belts into a single WBA championship, rather than unite titles belonging to different sanctioning organisations.

Catterall earned his position by defeating Shakhram Giyasov in May in Egypt. Uncrowned reported that he became the mandatory challenger to Rolando Romero, who was then allowed to face Lopez on the condition that the winner subsequently met Catterall. Lopez's victory over Romero therefore changed the champion without removing the obligation to the British challenger.

The WBA statement reproduced by Boxing News sets out a 30-day negotiating period starting on September 22 and ending at the close of business, Eastern Time, on October 22. It says the championship committee may order a purse bid, with the WBA president's approval, if no agreement is reached or either side decides to stop negotiating. The order is therefore a requirement to negotiate, not confirmation of a signed fight agreement.

For Catterall, 33, the ruling advances a pursuit of another major title opportunity after his disputed defeat by Josh Taylor in 2022. BBC Sport lists his professional record at 33 wins, including 14 stoppages, and two defeats. His other loss came against Arnold Barboza Jr. Lopez, 29, has also lost twice, to George Kambosos Jr and Shakur Stevenson.

A meeting with Garcia remains a separate possibility rather than the fight mandated by the WBA. BBC Sport reported that Lopez could relinquish his championship instead of continuing negotiations, which might lead to Catterall being elevated. Neither that outcome nor a completed Lopez-Catterall agreement was established by the reports announcing the order.