Teofimo Lopez Ordered To Defend Title Against Jack Catterall

The WBA has ordered Teofimo Lopez to defend his welterweight title against mandatory challenger Jack Catterall, throwing a wrench into plans for a potential unification fight with Ryan Garcia.

Both sides have until October 22 to reach a deal before a purse bid is ordered. Catterall earned his position by beating Shakhram Giyasov in April, while Lopez became a three-division champion with a win over Rolando Romero in August. Lopez's team has reportedly pushed back on the order, claiming WBA president Gilberto Mendoza previously assured them the Catterall fight wouldn't be mandated, clearing a path toward the bigger Garcia matchup instead.

Garcia, meanwhile, has already offered a December fight to interim WBC titleholder Isaac Cruz and denied being in talks with Lopez for a February date at Madison Square Garden.