Teofimo Lopez Manager: Catterall Fight May Wait

Teofimo Lopez's WBA mandatory title defense against Jack Catterall may not happen next, according to Lopez's own manager, who says the newly crowned welterweight champion could chase the Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn winner first.

Manager Keith Connolly told IFL TV that Lopez has bigger targets in the short term. "Obviously, at some point, we'll have to fight Jack Catterall, but let's see what happens in a couple of weeks between Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn," Connolly said. "Teo might be on to bigger and better things in the short term. And then we'll take care of Jack Catterall either next or maybe the fight after that."

That is a direct contradiction of what Catterall believes is owed to him. Lopez beat Rolando Romero by majority decision at T-Mobile Arena to win the WBA welterweight title, and the WBA's own rule states the champion has 180 days from Catterall's May 23 win over Shakhram Giyasov to make a deal, a deadline that lands in November. Catterall has been outspoken that the sanctioning body already settled the question. "180 days @WBABoxing which means November. I understand the politics of boxing better than most. Rolly had a voluntary; now it's time for my shot! No ducks, no more swerving. Me v Teo next," Catterall posted on X.

Why Connolly's Comments Matter

Connolly's remarks are the clearest sign yet that Team Lopez wants to build toward undisputed status before ever touching the mandatory. Lopez has said publicly that his three-fight DAZN deal is built around unification bouts with the Garcia-Benn winner, IBF titleholder Liam Paro and WBO champion Devin Haney, without pausing for what he considers an ordinary mandatory defense. The problem for Lopez is that Romero already used the WBA's one permitted voluntary defense by fighting him instead of Catterall, and Catterall does not believe the WBA can justify handing out a second exception.

Catterall has more to gain by holding firm than by stepping aside. A world title shot against Lopez pays far better than any step-aside fee, and if Catterall wins, he would hold the belt when the Garcia-Benn winner comes looking for a unification fight anyway. Letting Lopez leapfrog him accomplishes nothing for Catterall and risks Lopez losing the title, getting hurt, or moving on to another opponent before Catterall ever gets his call.

Betting Angle

Sportsbooks have not needed to price a Lopez-Catterall line yet, and Connolly's comments suggest that market may not form for months. For bettors, the more relevant near-term contract is Garcia-Benn on September 12 at T-Mobile Arena, since that outcome determines who Lopez actually wants next. If Lopez does get his way and unification talks with the Garcia-Benn winner or Paro move forward, expect Catterall to be installed as a live underdog whenever the fight is finally made, given his awkward southpaw style and the trouble he could cause Lopez's lead hand. Anyone holding futures on the WBA welterweight picture should treat November as a soft deadline at best.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Teofimo Lopez fight Jack Catterall next?

Not necessarily. Lopez's manager Keith Connolly said Lopez may pursue the winner of Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn before making his WBA mandatory defense against Jack Catterall.

What is the WBA deadline for Teofimo Lopez to fight Jack Catterall?

The WBA ordered a 180-day window stemming from Jack Catterall's May 23 win over Shakhram Giyasov, which places the deadline in November.

Why does Jack Catterall believe he deserves the next shot at Teofimo Lopez?

Catterall holds the WBA's secondary welterweight title and says the WBA already ruled that its Super champion must face him within 180 days, since Rolando Romero already used the organization's one allowed voluntary defense against Lopez.