Teofimo Lopez Next Fight: WBO Orders Title Defence

The Ring Magazine previously reported the February 15 bout between Jack Catterall and Arnold Barboza Jr. was approved by the WBO as an interim title fight, due to the ongoing uncertainty regarding full champion Teofimo Lopez (21-1, 13 KOs) and when his next fight will take place. The WBO have now ruled that “The Takeover” will have to honour a mandatory title defence obligation or vacate his belt.

WBO Orders Teofimo Lopez to Defend Against Catterall-Barboza Winner

Teofimo Lopez Next Fight: What the WBO’s Ruling Means

Speculation has been rife about what Lopez will do next and the WBO have now decided that the reigning WBO and Ring super lightweight world champion will need to face the winner of the Jack Catterall-Arnold Barboza Jr contest. A 180-day window from fight night was provided to honour the ordered title defence.

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Since his win over Steve Claggett, Lopez has failed to inform the WBO of his plans. As a result, the WBO has made it clear that he must either defend against the winner of Catterall-Barboza or vacate the title.

The ruling by the WBO will be great news to Catterall and Barboza because the winner will either get their shot against Lopez or be upgraded to full champion should he choose to vacate.

Despite ongoing talks for a unification fight with IBF champion Richardson Hitchins, negotiations have not progressed enough to delay this WBO ruling.

Teofimo Lopez Next Fight: Uncertain Promotional Future

The speculation surrounding Lopez’s future will continue. Will he vacate the title and pursue a fight with Hitchins? Or will he defend his WBO title against the winner of Catterall-Barboza?

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Speculation also remains whether Lopez will still be fighting under the Top Rank banner for his next fight after he recently revealed via his X account that the relationship between him and Top Rank is now at an all-time low: “What’s my Buyout again? @trboxing I’m leaving this post definitely to! #SpeakMyTruth #MyWordIsMyBond.”