Teofimo Lopez Prepared to Fight WBA Order

WBA welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez (23-2, 13 KOs) is reportedly prepared to take legal action against the sanctioning body over its decision to enforce a mandatory title defense against Jack Catterall (33-2, 14 KOs).

The WBA ordered Lopez to face Catterall on September 22, giving both parties until October 22 to reach an agreement before purse bids can be called.

Lopez, 29, wants to face WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia (26-2, 21 KOs, 1 NC) in a unification bout, potentially in February or during Cinco de Mayo weekend. Lopez reportedly intends to appeal the WBA’s ruling and is willing to take it to court.

Lopez captured the WBA championship with a majority decision victory over Rolando Romero on August 22, becoming a three-division world champion. Garcia successfully defended his WBC title by knocking out Conor Benn in the second round on September 12. Both champions have expressed interest in fighting each other next.

Catterall, meanwhile, has ruled out accepting step-aside money to facilitate the unification.

“There’s not $1 that can persuade me to step aside to allow a unification bout. I’m here to fight,” Catterall said.

Lopez could risk being stripped of the WBA title if he refuses to fulfill his mandatory obligation and his appeal is unsuccessful.