WBA orders Teofimo Lopez to defend world title against Jack Catterall

On 22 September 2026 the World Boxing Association ordered Teofimo Lopez to defend his WBA world title against Britain’s Jack Catterall. The instruction follows Lopez’s capture of the WBA 'super' welterweight crown last month.

Lopez won the WBA 'super' welterweight title via a points victory over Rolando Romero last month. Jack Catterall became the WBA's number one challenger and holds the WBA 'regular' title after beating Shakhram Giyasov in May. Catterall, 33, is the mandatory challenger while Lopez has been campaigning to stage a unification bout with WBC champion Ryan Garcia instead.

The WBA has said it expects Lopez to meet Catterall next and has directed both camps to enter negotiations. The sanctioning body is seeking terms between the two parties before taking further procedural steps. Both sides have been given a window to try to reach an agreement.

Catterall acknowledged the WBA's ruling on X, writing: "Hi Teofimo Lopez." The Chorley native has 33 wins, 14 stoppages and two defeats, including a controversial 2022 world-title loss to then undisputed light-welterweight champion Josh Taylor and a setback against Arnold Barboza Jr.

Lopez, 29, is a three-weight world champion and could choose to withdraw from negotiations and relinquish his WBA world title. He attended the Garcia v Conor Benn fight week in Las Vegas earlier this month and was stopped from entering the ring after Garcia's quick win.

Lopez's career has included two previous defeats: a 2021 points loss to George Kambosos Jr and a decision defeat by Shakur Stevenson in January. Those results form part of the context for his current position as the WBA 'super' welterweight champion.

The WBA has set a firm deadline: the two parties have until 22 October to reach terms, after which a purse bid will be ordered if no agreement is reached.