Deadline day: Hearn says Teofimo López must fight Catterall or vacate
WBA champion Teofimo López and Jack Catterall had until October 22 to agree a fight. López would rather face Ryan Garcia – Eddie Hearn expects the WBA to say no.
Graphic: TERRA WORLD NEWS (own graphic based on the sources listed)
The row over Teofimo López's mandatory defence at welterweight is coming to a head. On September 22 the WBA ordered him to face Jack Catterall, its regular champion, and gave the sides until October 22 to agree terms, after which a purse bid could follow, The Ring and BoxingNews24 report. López's camp has asked the WBA for an exception so he can pursue a unification fight with WBC champion Ryan Garcia instead.
Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn expects the request to be rejected because Matchroom has "multiple dozens of assurances in writing" from the sanctioning body. "Teofimo Lopez will have the decision to fight Jack Catterall or vacate the belt," Hearn said, according to BoxingNews24.
It is unclear whether the WBA will rule on the request by the deadline. Catterall has said he will not accept step-aside money to allow a López vs Garcia unification, according to The Ring.