Hearn Says Teofimo Lopez Must Face Catterall or Give Up WBA Title

Eddie Hearn has set out two options for Teofimo Lopez. According to the Matchroom promoter, the WBA champion must either defend his title against mandatory challenger Jack Catterall or hand the belt back, and Hearn says the Lopez camp is actively trying to avoid the mandatory in favour of a different fight.

Speaking to iFL TV, Hearn said the champion's side had pushed back and argued that they should not have to face Catterall. He said he expects the sanctioning body to stand firm, saying Catterall's position is backed by numerous written assurances obtained through the resolution process, and that the WBA will be left to do its work.

Money versus mandatory duties

Hearn openly accepts that a fight with Ryan Garcia would earn Lopez far more than a Catterall bout. In his view, that does not change a champion's obligations. "Teofimo Lopez will have the decision to fight Jack Catterall or vacate the belt," Hearn said, describing Catterall as a good fight that still pays well and is the rightful mandatory.

According to Hearn, the Lopez side told him they did not think they should have to fight Catterall and would like to make another fight. Hearn's answer was that champions should take on their mandatory challengers, and he said he trusted the WBA to act appropriately.

What the WBA has to decide

The WBA has not announced a ruling. Its options include ordering the mandatory, granting Lopez a special permit for another fight, or stripping him of the title. Other contenders have taken sanctioning bodies to court in the past when mandatory guarantees were not honoured.

In similar disputes, challengers have sometimes been paid step-aside money to wait and face the winner. No such offer to Catterall has been reported, and for now he is waiting while the Lopez camp looks at other options.