WBA Orders López to Negotiate Catterall Title Defense

The World Boxing Association has ordered Teófimo López to negotiate a mandatory welterweight title defense against Jack Catterall, giving the fighters until October 22 to reach an agreement. If talks fail or either side ends them, the WBA may order a purse bid, subject to approval by its president. The 30-day negotiation period began September 22, according to the WBA. The deadline is the close of business Eastern Time on October 22. The order does not confirm that a fight has been agreed or scheduled, and López’s response remains unresolved. The WBA said the mandate follows an earlier title arrangement involving Rolando Romero. Under conditions set when Romero was elevated to super champion, the winner of a bout between Catterall and Shakhram Giyasov was to face Romero after he made one optional defense. López defeated Romero by majority decision on August 22, becoming the WBA super champion and assuming the obligations attached to the arrangement, the WBA said. Catterall became the mandatory challenger after beating Giyasov for the WBA’s secondary title. The order puts his required title opportunity ahead of a potential bout between López and WBC champion Ryan Garcia.