“I think Ryan Garcia right now has motivation. He has momentum. It’s going to be very tricky with him moving up in weight. He’s not a puncher at 147, Teofimo. He hasn’t knocked anybody out. This is six straight decisions for him. So he’s going to have trouble with the power and the speed and the size of Garcia. I’ve got to favor Ryan Garcia,” Mora said to Secondsout.

Mora’s six-fight figure reaches beyond Lopez’s single welterweight appearance, but the concern is valid. Lopez has not stopped an opponent since Pedro Campa in August 2022. Romero also hurt him despite spending long stretches waiting for one counter at a time.

Garcia would apply a different type of pressure. He is the naturally larger fighter, carries proven welterweight power and owns a faster left hook than Romero. Lopez has the broader selection of punches and the better defensive movement, but he would need to enter Garcia’s range without getting caught by the punch that has decided most of Garcia’s biggest wins.

Catterall was supposed to block Lopez’s immediate move toward another champion. The WBA ordered Romero to defend against its secondary welterweight champion within 180 days, but the wording attached the obligation to Romero rather than whoever held the Super title.

Lopez took advantage of that distinction after beating Romero. He denied that Catterall was his mandatory during Monday’s Inside the Ring show, and the WBA issued no new order correcting the language or transferring Romero’s obligation to its new Super champion.

That leaves Catterall in a weak position. He carries enough skill to take the title from Lopez but cannot match the money generated by Garcia against Lopez. Allowing him to go first would place a major unification at unnecessary commercial risk.

Garcia still has to beat Benn before negotiations become serious. Golden Boy’s involvement would also make talks more difficult than a matchup controlled by one promotional company, but the financial return gives everyone a reason to reach an agreement.

A Garcia victory on September 12 would put Mora’s judgment directly to the test. Catterall may still be waiting for the WBA order that gives him his own chance at Lopez.