Jack Catterall is set for a world title shot next against WBO light welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez after beating former WBA/WBC 140-lb champion Regis Prograis in Manchester on Saturday night. Catterall (30-1, 13 KOs) says he will fight Teofimo (21-1, 13 KOs) in Manchester or New York.
(Credit: Matthew Pover/Matchroom Boxing)
Teofimo’s immediate plans are not clear. He has promotional issues with Top Rank. Whether he stays or leaves the company, he might move up to 147 in search of bigger fights. Catterall would not be what Teofimo considers a well-paying fight.
Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn is also keen to arrange a fight between Catterall and Teofimo, but admits the better option is to take on the winner of the December 7 fight between IBF light welterweight champion Liam Paro and Richardson Hitchins. Hearn promotes both fighters. So it should be easy to set up a fight between the winner and Catterall.
“It depends on Teofimo, but it is an option for a fight. There is talk of him going to 147,” Jack Catterall said during the post-fight press conference when asked if he wanted to challenge Teofimo Lopez for his WBO light welterweight title next.
“Listen, we’d love that fight in Manchester or New York. So, who knows?” said Catterall.
Teofimo called out Terence Crawford, Ryan Garcia and Devin Haney. These are the matches he hopes to get. Catterall isn’t as popular as any of those guys right now, and he may never be.
“We must get orders to fight against Teofimo Lopez as well. I think it’s a great fight. Obviously the Paro-Hitchins one is probably more realistic, and we’ll see what happens on December 7,” Eddie Hearn told the Stampede grounds about wanting Teofimo for Catterall’s next fight.
“Jack Catterall needs that shot at the world title. He might be best at 140 pounds. A fantastic fighter. Within 11 months he has the main role in Liverpool against Linares. In Leeds against Josh Taylor, and Prograis in Manchester.
Last updated on 26/10/2024
