Garcia vs Teofimo Feb 6? The WBA's Catterall Ruling Decides It

Ryan Garcia and Teofimo Lopez are aiming for Feb 6. The WBA is in the way, and Eddie Hearn says it isn't moving.

Where talks stand

Garcia's team and Lopez are in talks for a welterweight title unification on Feb 6, with New York and Las Vegas both being considered. Nothing is signed yet. Garcia has been publicly saying it's Feb 6 against Teofimo or Floyd, and has told Mayweather it's Feb 6 or bust. ESPN's Mike Coppinger has thrown cold water on the Floyd part. He told DAZN: "I was told that Mayweather wasn't even in discussion for the next fight." Mayweather, for his part, has booked a Dec 19 exhibition in Bangkok.

Garcia holds the WBC belt after knocking out Conor Benn in the second round on Sept 12. Lopez took the WBA title from Rolly Romero by majority decision on Aug 22.

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The Catterall problem

On Sept 22, the WBA ordered Lopez to defend against Jack Catterall. Catterall earned the mandatory spot by winning the WBA "regular" title with a unanimous decision over Giyasov on May 23. The 30-day negotiation window closed Oct 22, and under WBA rules a purse bid can follow. Lopez's camp has asked for a unification exception. Lopez's side told BoxingScene: "We have put legal paperwork in and they said they're going to revise and consider us getting an exception." No final ruling on that request has been reported.

Hearn, who promotes Catterall, isn't worried. He told bet365: "they ain't changing their mind." He added: "It's immovable." His version of what comes next: "So, Jack Catterall will be fighting for the WBA world title next." Then: "It will either be against Teofimo Lopez, or if Teofimo Lopez vacates his belt, Jack will be elevated to full champion and he will be in a big fight early next year in Manchester."

Catterall has made clear he won't take a payout to step aside. He told The Ring: "There's not $1 that can persuade me to step aside to allow a unification bout. I'm here to fight."

What it means

There are only three ways this goes. The WBA grants the exception, and Garcia-Lopez becomes a two-belt fight. Lopez vacates, and it's a one-belt fight with Catterall promoted to full champion. Or the WBA holds firm and Lopez fights Catterall first, which pushes Feb 6 back. Hearn is betting on the last two. Garcia's side is betting the money talks louder.

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