Teofimo Lopez could give up his WBA welterweight title to pursue Ryan Garcia rather than fight Jack Catterall. Tim Bradley expects him to choose the bigger payday, viewing Catterall’s southpaw style as a dangerous obstacle to that opportunity.
Lopez has until the close of business Eastern Time on October 22 to reach an agreement with Catterall. The WBA ordered the fight on September 22 between its “super” champion Teofimo and “regular” champion Catterall, who is also the mandatory challenger.
Bradley doubts Teofimo will take that route.
“Hell yeah he gonna duck,” Bradley said during a panel discussion at Sean Zittel and 2 more on YouTube. “Jack Catterall fight is a hard fight for him. I think that’s a hard fight. It’s another southpaw … that jab, Catterall jab, good counterpunching. Teo got to go look for him.”
That is the difficulty Bradley identifies: Teofimo would have to create the exchanges against someone comfortable waiting to counter. Chasing Catterall could leave him reaching with punches and entering off balance, giving the challenger opportunities to score and move before Lopez can answer.
Ryan offers a different incentive. His name would help sell the event, and Teofimo could pursue that payday without first risking a defeat against Catterall. Bradley suggests Teofimo could decide to abandon the belt if that is what it takes to get Ryan.
However, October 22 is a negotiation deadline, rather than an automatic date for Teofimo to lose his championship. If the camps cannot agree, or either side walks away, the WBA can order a purse bid. Bradley’s prediction goes further, anticipating that Lopez will ultimately choose Ryan over fulfilling the mandatory.
Giving up the title would also remove a potential belt from the Ryan matchup. Lopez would be trading his position as champion for the earning potential of the opponent.
For Catterall, the immediate question is whether Teofimo will negotiate the ordered defense. For Teofimo, Bradley sees a choice between protecting a lucrative opportunity and taking a fight that could spoil it.
