Eddie Hearn hopes to make Romero vs. Catterall soon
If Eddie Hearn had his way, Rolly Romero versus Jack Catterall would be happening sooner rather than later.
Catterall soundly outboxed Shakhram Giyasov to win a unanimous decision and the WBA "regular" welterweight title on the undercard of “Glory in Giza” Saturday in Egypt. With the win, Catterall became the mandatory challenger for Romero, whom the WBA elevated to "super" champion earlier this week.
The WBA ordered Romero (17-2, 13 KOs) to face Catterall (33-2, 14 KOs) within 180 days. Hearn, who promotes Catterall, wants to make the fight much sooner.
“Why wait 180 days?” Hearn said in the post-fight interview. “We don’t need 180 days. 90 sounds better.”
Romero, The Ring's No. 5-ranked welterweight, hasn’t fought since beating Ryan Garcia by unanimous decision in May last year and was in talks with WBO beltholder Devin Haney before negotiations collapsed. He was elevated to full champion when former titleholder Jaron Ennis moved up to junior middleweight the following month.
Catterall, The Ring’s No. 10-ranked welterweight, seized control of the fight in the first round when he dropped Giyasov with a hard left hand. That set the tone, as the British southpaw peppered his Uzbek counterpart with jabs and left hands that bloodied his nose.
The previously unbeaten Giyasov (17-1, 10 KOs) entered the fight as the Ring’s No. 7-ranked welterweight contender.
“I could beat any of these champions at 147,” Catterall said. “I believe in myself.”
Catterall is 3-0 since moving up from junior welterweight to the 147-pound division last year.
“He deserves it,” Hearn said. “He’s ducked nobody. Every opponent we put in front of him, [co-manager] Sam [Jones] and Jack have said yes every time. No one wanted to fight Giyasov, especially Romero.”
“They avoided that fight for over a year. Jack stepped up, he becomes regular world champion tonight, and next up will be a shot at the super championship against Rolly Romero.”
Teofimo Lopez / Rolly Romero vs. Jack Catterall - November 2026
-
Ruthless-RKO
- Welterweight
- Posts: 102148
- Joined: 24 Apr 2016, 11:59
Re: Rolly Romero vs. Jack Catterall - WBA Ordered
I like Rolly. He's a character.
But he's doing the American thing & getting all spiritual without really getting all spiritual. Doing a Madonna.
He should have had three losses in a row as Barroso was proper robbed that night.
But fair play for beating Garcia. He fought smart that night.
I still see Jack beating him fairly easily though but I do not see this fight ever happening. Rolly will fight Haney I think.
But he's doing the American thing & getting all spiritual without really getting all spiritual. Doing a Madonna.
He should have had three losses in a row as Barroso was proper robbed that night.
But fair play for beating Garcia. He fought smart that night.
I still see Jack beating him fairly easily though but I do not see this fight ever happening. Rolly will fight Haney I think.
-
Ruthless-RKO
- Welterweight
- Posts: 102148
- Joined: 24 Apr 2016, 11:59
Re: Teofimo Lopez / Rolly Romero vs. Jack Catterall - November 2026
Catterall to face Romero-Lopez winner, November 19 deal deadline
Jack Catterall will be ringside when Rolly Romero fights Teofimo Lopez on August 22.
After impressively beating Shakhram Giyasov to win the WBA's secondary welterweight title in May, Catterall hoped the sanctioning body would order ‘Super’ champion Romero to make an immediate, mandatory defense of his 147-pound belt.
Instead, the 30-year-old has been allowed to move ahead with a fight against former two-division champion Lopez at Las Vegas' T-Mobile Arena on August 22.
Catterall has always been easily avoided and had to fight and wait for every opportunity in previous years.
Winning the WBA’s secondary title ensures that The Ring’s No. 3 welterweight has a say in what happens politically. The way he went about beating the previously undefeated, dangerous Giyasov earned the British southpaw a great deal of respect from his peers and boxing insiders while taking his profile to a whole new level.
Rather than being an afterthought, Catterall will be in Las Vegas when the pair fight with the winner being given a hard date to agree terms to defend against him.
“I'm working for DAZN on August 22. I think I'm doing something over there in Vegas for their fight. They’ve got up until November 19 to make it. There can't be a unification. If it gets to November 19, the belt is mine,” Catterall (33-2, 14 KOs) told The Ring before giving his ideal timeline.
“They’re fighting six weeks today. A cool off period of two weeks and then a certain timeframe to do a deal with the winner.
“As far as I stand, I'm training. I’ve got a little holiday booked then I'll be back, I'll be preparing. I'll have a little visit over there, go and do some sparring in Vegas - John [Gillies, his trainer] is going to come - come back and then hopefully, we know who's in a position to make the deal.”
After beating Giyasov, Catterall didn’t embark on an extended lap of honor, vanish from the gym and return three or four weight divisions heavier.
He was back training at the 4 Corners Gym in Liverpool on the Wednesday after the fight and was hoping to either roll directly into a Romero fight or stay busy against a top contender.
Time has ticked on and Catterall will now have to wait.
“I say it to everybody, I was born in the wrong era because I would fight every month,” he said.
“I understand where the sport is. It’s not like other disciplines where you can have a couple of losses and come back. Everybody’s too precious about money, who and when they're fighting.
“I won't fight now until November which is unfortunate because I asked Sam [Jones, his manager] could we still get a fight? Could we get a Jose Ramirez or somebody? It's out the window now so I'll look after myself and stay ready for the winner of that fight.”
Romero and Lopez are both capable of brilliance but are also prone to bouts of inconsistency.
Romero (17-2, 13 KOs), seemed set for lift off after beating Ryan Garcia in May 2025 but a series of failed negotiations have prevented him from capitalizing on the career-best win.
On his day, Lopez (22-2, 13 KOs) can be one of the world's best but will make his first appearance since Shakur Stevenson brilliantly disarmed and outboxed him at Madison Square Garden in January.
That loss persuaded him to try his luck at 147 pounds. It is that air of unpredictability that makes the fight such an interesting one on paper and so difficult to break down.
“I think they’re both them characters aren’t they? They’re hot and cold,” Catterall said.
"If I had to bet, I would put a bet on Teo but, then again, like we've seen before he can be underwhelming. To be fair, I’m surprised sometimes by Rolly so it's a good fight in that respect but I do think Teo would win."
Jack Catterall will be ringside when Rolly Romero fights Teofimo Lopez on August 22.
After impressively beating Shakhram Giyasov to win the WBA's secondary welterweight title in May, Catterall hoped the sanctioning body would order ‘Super’ champion Romero to make an immediate, mandatory defense of his 147-pound belt.
Instead, the 30-year-old has been allowed to move ahead with a fight against former two-division champion Lopez at Las Vegas' T-Mobile Arena on August 22.
Catterall has always been easily avoided and had to fight and wait for every opportunity in previous years.
Winning the WBA’s secondary title ensures that The Ring’s No. 3 welterweight has a say in what happens politically. The way he went about beating the previously undefeated, dangerous Giyasov earned the British southpaw a great deal of respect from his peers and boxing insiders while taking his profile to a whole new level.
Rather than being an afterthought, Catterall will be in Las Vegas when the pair fight with the winner being given a hard date to agree terms to defend against him.
“I'm working for DAZN on August 22. I think I'm doing something over there in Vegas for their fight. They’ve got up until November 19 to make it. There can't be a unification. If it gets to November 19, the belt is mine,” Catterall (33-2, 14 KOs) told The Ring before giving his ideal timeline.
“They’re fighting six weeks today. A cool off period of two weeks and then a certain timeframe to do a deal with the winner.
“As far as I stand, I'm training. I’ve got a little holiday booked then I'll be back, I'll be preparing. I'll have a little visit over there, go and do some sparring in Vegas - John [Gillies, his trainer] is going to come - come back and then hopefully, we know who's in a position to make the deal.”
After beating Giyasov, Catterall didn’t embark on an extended lap of honor, vanish from the gym and return three or four weight divisions heavier.
He was back training at the 4 Corners Gym in Liverpool on the Wednesday after the fight and was hoping to either roll directly into a Romero fight or stay busy against a top contender.
Time has ticked on and Catterall will now have to wait.
“I say it to everybody, I was born in the wrong era because I would fight every month,” he said.
“I understand where the sport is. It’s not like other disciplines where you can have a couple of losses and come back. Everybody’s too precious about money, who and when they're fighting.
“I won't fight now until November which is unfortunate because I asked Sam [Jones, his manager] could we still get a fight? Could we get a Jose Ramirez or somebody? It's out the window now so I'll look after myself and stay ready for the winner of that fight.”
Romero and Lopez are both capable of brilliance but are also prone to bouts of inconsistency.
Romero (17-2, 13 KOs), seemed set for lift off after beating Ryan Garcia in May 2025 but a series of failed negotiations have prevented him from capitalizing on the career-best win.
On his day, Lopez (22-2, 13 KOs) can be one of the world's best but will make his first appearance since Shakur Stevenson brilliantly disarmed and outboxed him at Madison Square Garden in January.
That loss persuaded him to try his luck at 147 pounds. It is that air of unpredictability that makes the fight such an interesting one on paper and so difficult to break down.
“I think they’re both them characters aren’t they? They’re hot and cold,” Catterall said.
"If I had to bet, I would put a bet on Teo but, then again, like we've seen before he can be underwhelming. To be fair, I’m surprised sometimes by Rolly so it's a good fight in that respect but I do think Teo would win."