Jack Catterall Risks Being Passed Over Again

The August 22 winner has until November 19 to reach terms with mandatory challenger Jack Catterall, but bigger fights could complicate the process

The WBA has given the winner of the August 22 welterweight title fight between Rolando “Rolly” Romero and Teofimo Lopez until November 19 to reach an agreement with mandatory challenger Jack Catterall. On paper, it looks like the next fight is already lined up. In reality, Catterall may face the same obstacle that has frustrated mandatory challengers for years: money.

Catterall will be ringside for the Romero-Teofimo clash, hoping to see his next opponent crowned. The problem is that whoever leaves Las Vegas with the WBA title will likely have far more lucrative options than defending against the British southpaw.

A rematch between Romero and Teofimo would carry major commercial appeal if their first fight is competitive. Beyond that, a showdown with Devin Haney or the winner of Ryan Garcia’s fight against Conor Benn would almost certainly generate significantly larger purses than a mandatory defense against Catterall.

That leaves Catterall in an unenviable position. He is a highly skilled technician with the ability to upset a champion, yet he lacks the star power to match the financial rewards of the division’s biggest names. From a business standpoint, he is a high-risk, low-reward opponent.

Rolly has already demonstrated that financial considerations can outweigh mandatory obligations. Rather than defend against Shakhram Giyasov in a WBA-ordered bout, he moved toward the much bigger fight with Teofimo. If Romero defeats Teofimo, there may once again be little incentive to risk his title against Catterall when larger paydays are available.

Teofimo would face a similar decision if he wins. A fight with Haney or the Garcia-Benn winner would likely eclipse the commercial value of a Catterall defense, making it understandable if his team sought another route.

That does not necessarily mean Catterall will be bypassed. The WBA could grant an exception, Catterall could agree to a step-aside deal, or negotiations could produce a compromise. If none of those scenarios materialize, however, vacating the WBA title may become the simplest solution for the winner, allowing a more lucrative fight to move forward while leaving Catterall waiting once again.