“Rolly, I’d love to take it on next. Let’s do it. If not, vacate the title, do whatever you have to do, but we just want to keep fighting, stay busy and fight all the top guys and be in some good fights,” Catterall told Ring Magazine.
The comments come amid uncertainty over Romero’s next move. Reports have recently indicated that the WBA champion is expected to return this summer, although a tough assignment is not expected for his first appearance since defeating Ryan Garcia in May 2025.
Catterall’s frustration may stem from what happened to Giyasov before the two met in the ring. The WBA ordered Romero and Giyasov to negotiate a title fight in October 2025, but the fight never materialized. After months without securing his title opportunity, Giyasov moved on to face Catterall on the May 23 “Glory in Giza” card at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.
Catterall scored a 12-round unanimous decision victory in that fight, improving his position in the WBA rankings and putting himself in line for a shot at Romero’s title.
After the win, the WBA ordered Romero and Catterall to begin negotiations for a championship fight. However, Catterall has made it clear that he has no intention of spending months on the sidelines waiting for the situation to resolve itself.
The 32-year-old previously revealed he moved away from the WBO route because he didn’t want to wait for a mandatory title shot, and he has repeatedly emphasized his desire to remain active against the division’s top names.
Catterall’s message to Rolly is clear: defend the title against the mandatory challenger or step aside and let the division move forward.
