Jack Catterall Wants Teofimo Lopez Mandatory After Egypt Title Win

Jack Catterall got his belt in Egypt and now he wants the bigger one. The 33-2 (14 KO) Brit says his unanimous-decision win over Shakhram Giyasov didn't just land him the WBA 'regular' 140-pound title — it put him first in line for Teofimo Lopez's 'super' version. That, he argues, makes him mandatory. Full stop.

The paperwork trail backs the claim. Giyasov had sat as Rolando Romero's mandatory for over two years before nobody would touch him, and once Catterall agreed to and beat him, the WBA handed Romero a 180-day window to defend against the winner. Instead, Romero took a bout with Lopez — which is exactly how Catterall now finds himself chasing Teo rather than Rolly.

The Rulebook Argument

Catterall's pitch leans on Lopez's own words. Teo has been the loudest voice for 'making boxing great again' and enforcing mandatories, so Catterall's point is simple: apply the rules you preach. He knows Lopez would rather chase names like Ryan Garcia or Devin Haney, and he says that's fine — but not at the expense of skipping the obligation sitting in front of him.

Those are lucrative alternatives, to be fair. Haney is 33-0 (15 KO) and holds the WBO welterweight strap after outpointing Brian Norman Jr., while Garcia is booked opposite Conor Benn (25-1, 14 KO). Compared to those, a mandatory against a #9-ranked technician isn't the marquee payday. But mandatory is mandatory.

Catterall says he's been in regular contact with his manager and with Matchroom, both of whom are talking to the WBA. He expects the order to come down soon, and when it does, the ball lands squarely in Lopez's court: take the fight or vacate. Catterall believes Teo takes it.

There's no date, no purse and no confirmed order yet — only a fighter who feels he's earned his shot and is done waiting quietly for it. If the WBA moves the way Catterall expects, Lopez will have a decision to make sooner rather than later.