Eddie Hearn is dismissing all claims that Teofimo Lopez will avoid facing Jack Catterall. From Hearn’s perspective, the WBA has already exhausted its sole exception, making Catterall undeniably the next contender for the 147-pound crown.
The promoter highlights the sanctioning organization’s official contract that permitted Lopez to take on Rolando Romero. Based on that arrangement, whoever won was contractually required to clash with Catterall straight away.
“The matchup involving Rolly Romero and Teofimo Lopez was sanctioned with the explicit mandate that the champion must take on Jack Catterall right after,” Hearn stated to the media. “And that is precisely the step we are taking.”
Hearn maintains that a legally binding covenant like this cannot just be ignored simply because a bigger financial opportunity comes along.
“This isn’t based on an informal text conversation. It holds legal weight, and this is what is slated to occur,” Hearn noted. “He won’t have an escape route, and we will ensure the fight takes place.”
Additionally, Hearn revealed that Devin Haney and DAZN attempted to book Catterall, but the British challenger declined to be turned away from his championship opportunity.
“There isn’t enough money on the planet to make me give up my chance to fight Teofimo Lopez for the WBA Super Title,” Hearn recounted Catterall saying to him.
That firm position completely rules out any possibility of a step-aside payout. Catterall is determined to capitalize on his promised championship bout rather than accepting financial compensation to let Lopez pursue blockbuster events. Hearn mocked Lopez’s interest in fighting Ryan Garcia, calling on the belt holder to cease delaying and satisfy his mandatory obligation.
While sanctioning organizations frequently alter their own regulations, Hearn is actively pushing the WBA to enforce the rules. According to Hearn, offering Lopez another exemption with vague promises for the future would merely repeat the exact delay that was supposed to be fully resolved.
“With Ryan Garcia claiming he’s taking on Floyd Mayweather, it’s time to stop making excuses. Step up and face your mandatory challenger,” Hearn remarked.
Through these statements, Hearn is attempting to trap Teofimo, leveraging the spectacle surrounding Garcia to eliminate his main excuse. In truth, Teofimo would likely prefer to sit tight and await the outcome of the Garcia-Mayweather show rather than give Hearn a victory by agreeing to fight Catterall.
Catterall offers virtually no worldwide pay-per-view draw, presents an awkward and difficult fighting style, and poses immense danger with very little financial reward.
Admonishing a prize fighter seeking massive paydays to “stop running around” serves as a catchy media quote, but it seldom alters their behavior. Should the WBA try to mandate the contest through purse bids, Teofimo would probably prefer relinquishing the championship entirely—allowing Hearn to stage a vacant title bout—while he bides his time for a far more lucrative blockbuster opportunity.
