WBO orders Josh Taylor to defend light-welterweight title against Teofimo Lopez

Josh Taylor has been ordered to defend his WBO light-welterweight title against Teofimo Lopez after a foot injury ruined the Scotsman’s proposed rematch with Jack Catterall.

A voluntary defense against Catterall on March 4 in Glasgow has been postponed after Taylor tore a plantar fascia tendon in his heel in a bout and the long-awaited return fight may now take a backseat.

This is because the WBO wrote to Bob Arum, the promoter of Taylor and former unified lightweight champion Lopez, instructing the start of negotiations for a fight between the two.

Lopez, who won his last two fights since moving up to 140 pounds after losing his WBA, WBO and IBF titles to George Kambosos Jr in November 2021 in a stunning loss, is now Taylor’s mandatory challenger.

WBO President Luis Batista Salas outlined the terms of the fight in an official letter stating: “In the wake of the recent postponement of the Josh Taylor/Jack Catterall WBO voluntary title defense, the world championship committee of the OMB orders the beginning of the negotiations”. for the obligation of mandatory defense of the title in the jr. welterweight division between Josh Taylor and Teofimo Lopez, Jr.

Josh Taylor (left) has Teofimo Lopez (right) as his mandatory challenger for his WBO title

‘The camps herein are granted 10 days from the issuance of this notice to reach agreement or purse bidding procedures to be conducted in accordance with WBO regulations for world championship contests.

‘The minimum offer for the jr. the welterweight division is $150,000 US dollars (£124,577). Either party may request an auction ceremony at any time during the negotiation process.’

Taylor extended his perfect professional record to 19 wins in as many fights with a controversial points win over fellow Briton Catterall 12 months ago to retain their WBC, WBA, WBO and IBF crowns.

While Taylor was given the nod by split decision, many observers felt that Catterall had done enough to get the verdict. Since then, Taylor has vacated her WBC, WBA and IBF titles.

Catterall now appears to have turned his attention to a fight against WBC champion Regis Prograis, writing on Twitter earlier this week: “You can fight, see who’s the bigger duck.” @RPrograis and I can do it below.’

Taylor (left) had been exploring a rematch with Jack Catterall (right) only to suffer a foot injury.

Lopez previously criticized Taylor, insisting that he would ‘break’ it when they met in the ring.