WBA Expected to Clear Teofimo Lopez vs Ryan Garcia as Catterall Gets Sidelined

The WBA is expected to approve a welterweight unification between Teofimo Lopez and Ryan Garcia, even if it means mandatory challenger Jack Catterall gets pushed to the back of the line, per Boxing News 24.

Chris Mannix, speaking on the Mannix and Mora podcast, said the sanctioning body will clear the way for the bigger fight.

"The WBA is not going to stand in the way of a unification between Teofimo Lopez and Ryan Garcia," Mannix said. He expects the WBA to order the winner to face Catterall next, a familiar consolation prize for fighters stuck in mandatory limbo.

The situation is messy. According to Mannix, the WBA told Catterall in writing that he is owed an immediate shot at Lopez or a vacant belt. But the WBA also reportedly told Lopez in writing that he does not have to defend against Catterall. Mannix called the contradictions a mistake.

"The WBA will do anything for a buck," Mannix said. "And from what I understand, they have made some mistakes here."

Catterall's skepticism is well-earned. The WBA has a long history of sidelining mandatory challengers when bigger money fights appear. Shakhram Giyasov waited roughly two years for his WBA opportunity before finally getting a shot, a timeline that haunts anyone holding a mandatory position.

Lopez called out Garcia immediately after beating Rolando Romero. Weeks later, the mandatory situation remains officially unresolved, but the direction is clear.