WBA Orders Teofimo Lopez to Face Jack Catterall

The ruling opens a ten‑day negotiation window that could force Lopez to seek a WBA special permit, give up the belt, or lead to a purse bid.

Overview

The WBA denied Lopez’s request to bypass his mandatory and on Nov. 11 ordered him to negotiate with WBA 'regular' champion Jack Catterall within ten calendar days.
Lopez’s camp says it filed a unification request on Nov. 5 and will appeal the WBA decision, while the WBA says it had not received a formal special‑permit application before issuing its ruling.
If the two camps cannot agree in the new window the WBA may call a purse bid and Lopez risks being stripped or vacating the WBA Super title with Catterall upgraded to full champion.
Talks for a Feb. 6 fight with Ryan Garcia remain active but would put only Garcia’s WBC belt at stake unless the WBA approves a Rule C.39 special permit for a unification.
The obligation traces back to conditions set when Rolando Romero was elevated to Super champion, and promoters’ commercial incentives — DAZN for Lopez and Matchroom for Catterall — are the key business forces shaping whether the fight proceeds or the WBA enforces its mandate.