The WBA Championship Committee has ordered a mandatory bout between WBA welterweight super champion Teófimo López (pictured) and Jack Catterall, the WBA regular welterweight champion.[Editor's note: Lopez has been rumored to be negotiating a unification fight vs. his WBC counterpart, Ryan Garcia. Lopez remains free to vacate the WBA title and challenge Garcia for the WBC version].The WBA decision stems from the conditions established by the WBA Championship Committee when Rolando “Rolly” Romero was elevated to WBA super champion. At that time, it was determined that the winner of the WBA regular title bout between Shakhram Giyasov and Jack Catterall would subsequently face Romero, who would be permitted to make one optional defense during that period. On August 22nd, Teófimo López defeated Romero by majority decision to become the WBA super champion (and a three-division champion as well). The WBA has now confirmed that López has assumed the champion's obligations previously established by the Championship Committee. As a result, the WBA has ordered the bout between López and Catterall.
The WBA has established a thirty-day negotiation period, beginning on September 22nd and concluding at the close of business, Eastern Time, on October 22nd. If the parties fail to reach an agreement within the established period, or if either party notifies the WBA of its decision to discontinue negotiations, the Championship Committee may, with the approval of the WBA President, order a purse bid in accordance with the organization’s rules and regulations.
PRIOR BOXINGTALK COVERAGE
Jack Catterall wants to face Teofimo Lopez next, and he saved a receipt. Catterall (picutred) became the WBA interim welterweight champion in May when he defeated Shakhram Giyasov in Egypt. In July, as then-WBA welterweight champion Rolly Romero was preparing to defend against Teofimo Lopez, WBA president Gilberto Mendoza tweeted that Caterall was in line for the next title shot: "@RollyRomeroRblx v. @TeofimoLopez winner must box @jack_catt93 in their next fight." Lopez went on to defeat Romero, but is now talking about unifying vs. WBC champion Ryan Garcia. Catterall is doing everything he can to block Lopez-Garcia until he gets his shot at the full title. This weekend Catterall reposted the July Mendoza tweet, adding, "I expect the WBA and Gilberto Mendoza to stand on business,keep their word and honor what was agreed. Like I say, I don’t ask for favors, just what was agreed and what I deserve"
