On Tuesday afternoon, the sanctioning body officially denied Lopez’s request to bypass his mandatory challenger.

“Teofimo Lopez's reconsideration request was reviewed,” wrote WBA President Gilberto Mendoza on his X account. “His mandatory defense vs. Jack Catterall is reaffirmed. Both sides have 10 days to reach an agreement. Otherwise, either may request a purse bid.”

Lopez, The Ring’s No. 3 welterweight who beat Rolly Romero on August 22 to become a three-division champion, was hoping to move on to bigger and better things. The 29-year-old New Yorker made it clear that he wanted a two-belt unification bout against WBC champion Ryan Garcia next. While that fight could still happen, it won't take place with Lopez’s belt on the line.

Catterall, The Ring’s No. 4 welterweight, won the secondary version of the WBA title by beating Shakhram Giyasov by unanimous decision on May 23.

Catterall (33-2, 14 KOs) believes Lopez (23-2, 13 KOs) has only two options.

“All I want to do is move forward with my career,” he wrote on his X account. “I respect you Teofimo Lopez so either fight me or vacate! No more messing around.”

It looks like Lucas Bahdi (20-1, 15 KOs) will have to live with defeat.

After losing to Floyd Schofield for the vacant WBA lightweight title on October 10, Most Valuable Promotions, Bahdi’s promoter, filed an appeal with the sanctioning body for an immediate rematch.

Bahdi claimed that several knockdowns were not called. However, while it was considered, their petition was denied.

“The referee missed two knockdowns, but even counting them, Bahdi did not win,” Mendoza said. “Schofield remains champion. No rematch.”

Schofield (20-0, 13 KOs), The Ring’s No. 3 lightweight, is hoping to make a unification bout next. Abdullah Mason, The Ring’s No. 2 lightweight and WBO champion, remains his primary target.