Former undisputed super lightweight world champion Josh Taylor looks set to postpone his proposed rematch with Jack Catterall again.
The Scot retains the WBO belt and after abandoning plans to move up to welterweight, appeared on course to settle his rivalry with his English opponent until suffering a foot injury.
The pair’s first fight ended in a controversial judges’ decision that awarded Taylor the win, something that the champion believes was deserved, while others including Catterall felt he had done enough to edge the decision.
However, the WBO have now ordered Taylor to negotiate a match-up with former unified lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez.
The Daily Mail reports that WBO chairman Luis Batista Salas wrote to Taylor’s promoter, Bob Arum, saying: "In the wake of the recent postponement of the Josh Taylor/Jack Catterall WBO voluntary title defence, the WBO world championship committee is hereby ordering the commencement of negotiations for the mandatory title defence obligation in the jr. welterweight division between Josh Taylor and Teofimo Lopez, Jr.
"The camps herein are granted 10 days upon issuance of this notice to reach an agreement or purse bid proceedings shall be conducted pursuant to WBO regulations of world championship contests.
"The minimum bid for the jr. welterweight division is $150,000 US dollars (£124,577). Any of the parties involved may request a purse bid ceremony at any time during the negotiation process."