Teófimo López ordered to take part in mandatory bout by WBA
The WBA has ordered Teófimo López (23-2, 13 KOs), their welterweight world champion, to take part in a mandatory bout against Jack Catterall (33-2, 14 KOs).
The announcement was made Tuesday by the organization. Representatives of both fighters have until Oct. 22 to work out the details of a fight between the two. Failure to do so would result in the ordering of a purse bid.
López won the title last month by defeating Rolando “Rolly” Romero. Catterall holds a secondary version of the WBA welterweight championship. He won that by defeating Shakhram Giyasov in May this year.
Teófimo López ordered to face Jack Catterall
When Catterall defeated Giyasov, it came with the understanding that he would next fight for the primary title. Romero, who was the primary titleholder, was permitted to make one optional defence before having to face the Englishman. Upon losing, however, the obligation was then passed on to López, the current titleholder.
“On August 22, 2026, [López] defeated Romero by majority decision to become the WBA super champion,” reads the WBA order. “López therefore succeeded Romero as champion and assumed the obligations previously established by the championship committee.”
“As a result, the WBA has ordered the bout between López and Catterall.”
López has yet to comment on the ordered bout as this piece goes published.
“Hey mate [López] you fancy scrapping on the fury aj [sic] card?” wrote Catterall on X. “If not don’t worry I’ll come to America and get my belt. Either way I’ll see you soon champ.”
“Just received confirmation that [the WBA] have now ordered immediate negotiations for [López] to fight [Catterall] NEXT!” wrote Eddie Hearn, Catterall’s promoter, on X. “Well deserved, let’s go.”
Whether López and Catterall actually square off in the ring remains to be seen.
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Featured image credit
Cris Esqueda/PBC
S Saadeq Ahmed
Currently writing out of Toronto, Canada, Saadeq first became a boxing fan while living in Doha, Qatar. Looking to become more involved in the sport, he began writing about boxing and has had work published in outlets such as Seconds Out and Boxing Social. He looks forward to continue covering boxing on Big Fight Weekend.