Last month, Teofimo defeated Rolly by a 12-round majority decision on August 22, but Mendoza has not repeated that commitment or announced a negotiation period.
The silence is a bad sign. An X post from the WBA president is not an enforceable championship order. Mendoza can change his mind, while the WBA Championships Committee can approve an interim fight against a more profitable opponent.
Catterall has seen this before. He accepted step-aside money as the WBO mandatory to allow Jose Ramirez to face Josh Taylor for the undisputed light welterweight championship. Catterall waited until February 2022 for his opportunity, only to lose a highly controversial split decision to Taylor after dropping and outlanding him. His experience explains why Catterall has ruled out another deal.
“There’s not $1 that can persuade me to step aside to allow a unification bout to happen. I’m here to fight,” Catterall said before Romero faced Teofimo.
The WBA’s handling of Shakhram Giyasov gives him another reason to distrust promises. Rolly won the welterweight title in May 2025 with a victory over Ryan Garcia, but did not defend against Giyasov. The WBA formally ordered the mandatory last October, yet Romero kept the belt without fighting him.
Seven months later, Romero was elevated to “Super” champion, and Giyasov faced Catterall for the secondary title. Had Giyasov won, he likely would occupy the same position Catterall does now: holding another WBA belt without receiving the primary champion.
Lopez also has little financial incentive to cooperate voluntarily. Catterall is an awkward southpaw counterpuncher who can make an opponent look poor while offering less money in the United States than Ryan Garcia, Conor Benn, or Devin Haney. It is maximum tactical difficulty without a matching payday for Lopez.
That two-champion structure does not create urgency either. It allows the organization to sanction title fights involving both belt holders without immediately forcing them to meet.
Catterall needs Teofimo for the payday and the opportunities a victory would produce. Beating him would strengthen Catterall’s position for fights against the Garcia vs. Benn winner, WBO champion Haney, or IBF champion Liam Paro.
Until the WBA issues an order with deadlines and consequences, Catterall has only a secondary belt and Mendoza’s unenforceable promise.
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