Two Letters, One Belt: Mannix Says the WBA Promised Catterall and Teofimo Different Things

RUMOR · Rumor-Meter: WARM 🟠 (no WBA ruling yet)

Sweethearts, I've seen fighters get mixed signals, but two sets of letters about one belt? That's a whole new kind of mail fraud... I mean, mail mix-up. 📬

What Mannix said. On the Mannix and Mora podcast, Chris Mannix said the WBA put conflicting promises in writing. Quoted via BoxingNews24 (Oct 12):

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"The [WBA] will do anything for a buck. And from what I understand, they have made some mistakes here."

"They clearly told Jack Catterall in writing that he is owed an immediate shot at Teofimo or a vacant belt. But from what I understand, they have also put in writing to Teofimo that he doesn't have to defend his title against Jack Catterall."

Note the "from what I understand." This is Mannix's reporting. We haven't seen the letters, and the WBA hasn't publicly confirmed either one.

His prediction:

"The way I see this playing out, the WBA is not going to stand in the way of a unification between Teofimo Lopez and Ryan Garcia."

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Per BoxingNews24, Mannix expects the WBA to approve Teofimo vs Ryan and order the winner to face Catterall.

Why Catterall might not take "you're next" on trust. BN24 points to Shakhram Giyasov, who spent "roughly two years" waiting for his WBA shot before finally facing Catterall for the secondary welterweight belt. Meanwhile Romero chased other paydays despite orders to fight him. (BoxingNews24) That comparison is BN24's, not Mannix's.

Catch up: our Dream Match breakdown, Teofimo vs. Ryan, and The Kimster's straight-news take, Teofimo's Fork in the Road.

Whisperer's take: If Mannix is right, the WBA sanctions the money fight and gives Catterall a winner-faces-you promise. That's a solution only if the promise sticks. Until the WBA actually rules, this sits at WARM. 💅

🗳️ Fight Predictions poll

What will the WBA do?

• Approve Teofimo vs Ryan, with the winner ordered to face Catterall
• Enforce Catterall first
• Strip Teofimo / vacant title fight for Catterall
• Something messier (it's boxing)

Bonus: Would you trust a winner-faces-Catterall order? Yes / No / Ask Giyasov

You didn't hear it from me… 🤫

Sources

• BoxingNews24 (Oct 12, 2026), Mannix on the Mannix and Mora podcast
• Boxbid Dream Match (live)
• The Kimster, Teofimo's Fork in the Road (live)