Jack Catterall's team press for Teofimo Lopez fight over claimed WBA agreement

Jack Catterall and his team say WBA assurances entitle him to face Teofimo Lopez next, while Lopez wants to pursue a welterweight unification fight with Ryan Garcia.

Update, 24 September: the WBA has since ordered Teofimo Lopez to defend his welterweight title against Catterall, with the camps given until 22 October to agree terms before a purse bid, ESPN reported. Catterall, from Glasgow to a Lopez order.

Jack Catterall and his team are pressing for a fight with Teofimo Lopez, citing WBA communications they say guarantee him the next challenge, BoxingScene reported. Promoter Eddie Hearn and manager Sam Jones are backing Catterall's pursuit of the WBA Super welterweight champion through the sanctioning body.

Lopez and his manager, Keith Connolly, have said they want to face WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia next as part of a push towards undisputed status. Catterall told iFL TV that he believes a WBA order is coming soon and raised the possibility of Lopez vacating.

Hearn said the original agreement required the winner of Catterall's fight with Shakhram Giyasov for the WBA Regular title to face Rolly Romero within 160 days. When the WBA subsequently allowed Romero to fight Lopez, Hearn said it sent emails assuring Matchroom that Catterall would meet the winner next.

Catterall secured the Regular title with a unanimous decision over Giyasov across 12 rounds in May. Lopez then defeated Romero by majority decision over the same distance on 22 August.

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