Teofimo Lopez ordered to defend title against winner of Catterall vs. Barboza Jr.

Teofimo Lopez (21-1, 13 KOs) has been ordered to defend his WBO World super-lightweight title against the winner of fight between Jack Catterall (30-1, 13 KOs) and Arnold Barboza Jr. (31-0, 11 KOs).

Catterrall will face Barboza Jr. on February 15 in Manchester. Fight will be for WBO Interim World super-lightweight title.

WBO president Gustavo Olivieri wrote in social media that Lopez will have to face winner of Catterall vs. Barboza Jr.

 “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.

Lopez defended his WBO title on June 29 last year, defeating Steve Claggett of Canada via unanimous decision.