WBA Gives Teofimo Lopez Until October 22 to Face Jack Catterall or Risk Title
Teofimo has reportedly appealed the WBA order as Catterall insists the mandatory fight must happen next.
The WBA has drawn a line for Teofimo Lopez. The sanctioning body ruled on September 22 that Jack Catterall should be next in line for Lopez's WBA super welterweight title, and both sides have until October 22 to reach a deal, per Boxing News 24.
Catterall is not in the mood to wait. "Was awarded a voluntary title shot coming off a loss. Im next," Catterall wrote on social media, making it clear he expects the WBA to honor the arrangement that was put in place before his fight with Shakhram Giyasov. Under that deal, Rolando Romero received one optional defense, and the winner of Catterall vs. Giyasov would face the champion afterward.
Lopez inherited the WBA super champion title when he beat Romero on August 22. But rather than moving straight to Catterall, Lopez has reportedly appealed the WBA's order, seeking permission to pursue bigger fights first, according to FazSportz.
Teofimo's manager Keith Connolly offered no commitments when asked about the situation. "Let's see how it all plays out," Connolly said on X.
If the two sides cannot reach an agreement by the October 22 deadline, the WBA Championship Committee may order a purse bid with the president's approval. Lopez could also choose to vacate the belt entirely to chase other opponents, but holding the title while dodging Catterall would require the WBA to change its own conditions.
This is the part of boxing that makes fans want to pull their hair out. Catterall did what was asked of him. He fought Giyasov. The WBA told him he would be next. And now Teofimo is appealing, his manager is giving non-answers, and the clock is ticking.
I get it from Teofimo's side. He just won a belt and wants marquee fights, not mandatory obligations. But you do not get to hold four letters on your belt and then act surprised when the sanctioning body tells you to defend it. That is the deal.
Catterall has been through this before. He got robbed blind against Josh Taylor and still came back to earn his shot the hard way. If Teofimo ducks this and vacates, it tells you everything about how serious he is about being a real champion at 140. The October 22 deadline is twelve days away. Either make the fight or give up the belt.
