Ryan Garcia’s Undisputed Title Dream Hits Setback After WBA Mandatory Order

Ryan Garcia had charted an ambitious path through 2026, targeting a run of marquee bouts on the way to becoming the undisputed welterweight world champion.

To match the achievement Terence Crawford secured in 2023 with his victory over Errol Spence Jr., Garcia needs to add the IBF, WBA and WBO titles to his collection.

The 28-year-old claimed the WBC belt earlier this year by defeating Mario Barrios, then recorded his first defence with a second-round stoppage of Conor Benn.

Because of his long-standing rivalry with WBO champion Devin Haney, Garcia regards a fight with Haney as the final piece of the puzzle. Haney is scheduled to face the IBF’s Liam Paro in a unification bout on December 19.

To arrange a four-belt showdown, Garcia had opened early negotiations with WBA champion Teofimo Lopez, targeting a February date ahead of a summer meeting between the winners of Haney and Paro.

Those plans have now been delayed at minimum, after the WBA confirmed that regular champion Jack Catterall is next in line for a mandatory shot at Lopez.

Lopez’s camp had recently filed a petition asking the WBA to reconsider the mandatory order, but the sanctioning body noted that the “team had not submitted a formal request for special permission to pursue a unification bout” and upheld Catterall’s position.

The champion, who took the title from Rolando Romero, now has ten days to reach an agreement with Catterall before purse bids are called.

Garcia is expected to proceed with a fight in early 2027, having already lost out on a December date he wanted in order to stay active. He recently stated that he would be facing Floyd Mayweather, though many observers will remain doubtful given Mayweather’s track record of announcing fights without seeing them through.

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