Exclusive: Jack Catterall’s Camp Demands Teofimo Lopez Decision on Super Lightweight Future

Teofimo Lopez, the reigning WBO champion, has been urged to reveal whether or not he wishes to remain at super lightweight before Jack Catterall and Arnold Barboza Jr meet in a final eliminator for the American’s world title.

Rated as the best of the four major title holders in boxing’s most competitive division, Lopez is understood to be considering a step up to welterweight after last defending his crown against Steve Claggett in June.

With Catterall and Barboza Jr scheduled to lock horns at Manchester’s Co-op Live arena on February 15, officials at the sanctioning body’s headquarters in Puerto Rico have ordered Lopez to face the winner of that bout before the end of May or be forced to relinquish his belt.

Speaking exclusively to SportsBoom.com, Catterall’s trainer Jamie Moore called upon the 27-year-old to publicly confirm his future plans before his fighter and the unbeaten Barboza Jr step through the ropes “out of respect” for the pair.

“Lopez has been given the ultimatum,” Moore said. “He has to face whoever comes through this one within three months. That’s what he’s been told. That’s what we and everyone else has been told."

“If he’s already got one foot out of the door then I hope this pushes him through it. Personally, ideally, I’d like him to make that decision before Jack and Barboza go in there because then we’ll know if this is for the full title or not."

“If he doesn’t make a decision beforehand then, for me, that means we’ll be fighting Lopez within three months and ‘Great’ because that’s what we’ll do. That’s what it would suggest to me."

“I’d rather Lopez not wait if he’s got no intention of continuing to fight at this weight and then we get upgraded if he gives it up. Nobody ever really wants that, even though you’re not going to argue."

“If Lopez is staying - brilliant - we fight him in three months.”

CONTROVERSIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

From Chorley and having been denied his moment of glory in controversial circumstances three years ago following a disputed points defeat to then unified champion Josh Taylor, Catterall is arguably one of the most deserving fighters in the sport after forcing himself to number two and three in the WBO and WBC rankings respectively. 

Having avenged the only loss on his 31 bout record by beating the Scot in Leeds last year, Catterall, whose career is guided by promotional behemoth Matchroom, followed up that triumph by beating the vastly experienced former WBA and WBC champion Regis Prograis at the same venue where he faces Barboza Jr. 

Unbeaten in his 31 professional outings, the Californian, a member of Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy stable, is ranked as the number one challenger by the WBO.

Lopez has beaten the likes of Vasiliy Lomachenko and Sandor Martin, who will shortly attempt to dethrone WBC king Alberto Puello.

“It’s more respectful for Jack and Barboza if he (Lopez) makes it clear what he’s doing,” Moore said. 

“He (Barboza Jr) is number one and Jack is number two. Barboza could easily have gone down the Golden Boy route and potentially made more money but, fortunately for Jack, there’s a benefit to fighting him now. People can’t keep trying to avoid him. I believe he is the best there is at 140lbs.”