Teofimo Lopez has been ordered to defend his WBO junior-welterweight title against the winner of the fight between Jack Catterall and Arnold Barboza Jnr on February 15.
Lopez, 27, has been inactive since his victory in June 2024 over Steve Claggett, and at a time when there remains uncertainty surrounding his future he has been told by the WBO he must fight the winner of Catterall-Barboza Jnr within 180 days of their contest at the Co-op Live Arena in Manchester, England.
England’s Catterall, 31, and Barboza Jnr are fighting for the lightly-regarded interim title. Catterall previously lost a controversial decision when he fought Josh Taylor for the undisputed title.
The 33-year-old Barboza Jnr defeated the former world champion Jose Carlos Ramirez in November – a month after Catterall impressed in overcoming Regis Prograis.
“Lopez must discharge his mandatory obligation against the winner of Catterall-Barboza within 180 days after their bout to terminate interim status and ensure a single WBO junior-welterweight champion,” Gustavo Olivieri, the sanctioning body’s president, rather cryptically posted on social media.
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