WBA orders Teofimo Lopez to defend welterweight title against Jack Catterall

The WBA has ordered welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez to defend his title against mandatory challenger Jack Catterall. Both parties have 30 days to reach an agreement on fight terms; failure to do so will result in a purse bid.

This mandate complicates Lopez’s potential unification bout with WBC titlist Ryan Garcia, which was reportedly being discussed for February or March. Catterall has previously expressed frustration after being allowed to step aside for Lopez’s recent fight against Rolly Romero.

In a separate ruling, the WBA has ordered Jaime Munguia to defend his championship against Bektemir Melikuziev. Both Lopez and Munguia face deadlines in late October to finalize deals with their respective mandatory challengers or risk losing their titles.