The WBA has issued its decision regarding the request for reconsideration submitted by WBA welterweight super champion Teofimo Lopez, reaffirming that Lopez must face WBA regular champion Jack Catterall (pictured) next. Lopez was seeking to get an exception to the WBA mandatory defense rule so that he could enter into a unification bout vs. WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia. Lopez now has three choices: fight Catterall next, vacate the WBA title and fight Garcia for the WBC title only (assuming Garcia is willing), or negotiate a step-aside deal with Catterall, although Catterall has said in no uncertain terms he would not make such an agreement.
In a resolution issued on Wednesday, November 11th, the WBA requested that representatives of Lopez and Catterall resume negotiations and submit, within ten days, an agreement that would allow the mandatory bout to take place on a date acceptable to both parties. The WBA said the boxers "may also propose an alternative solution to resolve the differences between them" -- in other words, a step-aside agreement. If no agreement is submitted within that period, or if either party decides not to participate in the negotiations, either side may request a purse bid.
According to the WBA:"The situation stems from the resolution issued on May 20, 2026, when the WBA elevated Rolando Romero to WBA super champion status and approved a bout for the vacant WBA [regular] championship between Shakhram Giyasov, who was ranked #1 at the time, and Jack Catterall, then ranked #6. That resolution stipulated that Romero would have to face the winner of the bout within 180 days. Catterall defeated Giyasov on May 23rd to capture the WBA [regular] championship. Subsequently, on August 22nd, Teofimo Lopez defeated Romero in a voluntary title defense and became the WBA super champion. Following that result, the American inherited the obligations previously established for the title, including the mandatory defense against Catterall."
PRIOR BOXINGTALK COVERAGE
SEPT. 23, 2026: 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.
SEPT. 22, 2026: Jack Catterall wants to face Teofimo Lopez next, and he saved a receipt to prove his entitlement to do so. Catterall (pictured) 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: "Romero vs. Lopez winner must box Catterall 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"
MAY 23, 2026: Jack Catterall defeated Shakram Giyasov via unanimous twelve-round decision to gain the vacant WBA regular welterweight title in Egypt. It was an emotional win for Catterall, who in 2022 appeared to have defeated Josh Taylor to become world junior welterweight champion, only to get shortchanged on the official scorecards. This time, Catterall (33-2) suffered no surprises when the scores were read. After scoring an early knockdown, Catterall went on to defeat Giyasov by a wide margin: 118-109, 119-108 and 116-111.
