Jack Catterall Blocks Bigger Fights For Rolly vs. Teofimo Winner

“I’ll certainly be there, and I’m led to believe again, it’s in me contract. The winner’s got till November the 19th to do a deal to fight us,” Catterall said to Ring Magazine. “That was announced quite some time ago after the last fight. 180 days since I boxed in Egypt. They managed to squeeze this fight in. So, hopefully the winner comes through unscathed, and we can get it on back end of the year.”

Holding that entitlement does not necessarily make him commercially attractive to the champion.

The Romero-Lopez winner will have two much bigger options available at 147 pounds: Devin Haney and the winner of Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn. Those bouts could potentially happen back to back, generating far more money than a defense against Catterall.

Taking on Catterall gets in the way of that lucrative road. Worse for the champion, the mandatory challenger brings enough ability to ruin those plans completely.

Shakhram Giyasov knows how long that process can take. He spent years pursuing his WBA opportunity without getting Romero in the ring before eventually facing Catterall for the interim title. The Chorley southpaw could easily find himself stuck in a similar waiting game.

The situation mirrors the dilemma Janibek Alimkhanuly creates for Hamzah Sheeraz at super middleweight. Janibek was ordered as Sheeraz’s WBO mandatory, but taking that fight puts far richer opportunities at risk. The Rolly vs. Teofimo winner faces the same type of roadblock with Catterall.

Catterall remains confident because Sam Jones and Eddie Hearn have backed his position.

“I’ve spoke to Sam, I’ve spoke to Eddie and they’ve reiterated it more than once, and it’s in me contract. So, I’m confident the winner will have to fight us.”

That confidence may soon be tested. Catterall has a legitimate claim, but the larger paydays available elsewhere give the next WBA champion plenty of incentive to look for an exit route.