Eddie Hearn is shutting down any discuss of Teofimo Lopez bypassing Jack Catterall. In Hearn’s view, the WBA already granted its single move, that means Catterall is subsequent in line for the 147-pound belt with out debate.
Hearn factors on to the sanctioning physique’s written settlement that cleared Lopez to problem Rolando Romero. Below these phrases, the victor was obligated to face Catterall directly.
“They allowed the battle between Rolly Romero in opposition to Teofimo Lopez on the situation that the winner should battle Jack Catterall instantly,” Hearn advised reporters. “That’s what is going on now.”
The promoter insists that binding doc can’t merely be swept apart at any time when a extra profitable business supply surfaces.
“It’s not on some flaky textual content message. It’s legally binding, and that’s what will likely be taking place subsequent,” Hearn mentioned. “There will likely be no manner out, and we are going to be sure that he will get it.”
Hearn additionally famous that Devin Haney and DAZN explored matching Catterall, but the contender refused to be diverted from his title tilt.
“You could possibly not pay me any amount of cash on this planet to not get my shot on the WBA Tremendous Championship in opposition to Teofimo Lopez,” Hearn mentioned Catterall advised him.
That stance shuts the door on any voluntary step-aside deal. Catterall intends to gather on the title likelihood he was assured as an alternative of taking step-aside money so Lopez can eye mega-events. Hearn scoffed at Lopez chasing a conflict with Ryan Garcia, urging the champion to cease stalling and tackle his necessary.
Sanctioning our bodies usually rewrite their very own playbooks, but Hearn is placing heavy stress on the WBA to comply with by. Handing Lopez one other move with an empty promise for later would merely recycle the delay Hearn says was completely settled.
“Ryan Garcia has come out now saying he’s preventing Floyd Mayweather. So cease operating round. Simply battle your necessary,” Hearn mentioned.
Hearn is attempting to field Teofimo right into a nook with that quote, utilizing the Garcia circus to strip away his greatest public distraction. The truth is that Teofimo would slightly twiddle his thumbs ready for the Garcia-Mayweather spectacle to conclude than hand Hearn a straightforward win by taking Catterall.
Catterall brings virtually zero world pay-per-view leverage, an unsightly stylistic headache, and big danger for minimal return.
Telling a fighter who needs bank-vault paydays to “cease operating round” sounds nice in a press soundbite, however it not often forces the problem. If the WBA truly makes an attempt to implement the order with purse bids, Teofimo is way extra prone to toss the belt in a trash can and let Hearn have his vacant title match whereas he waits for an additional mega-money alternative to open up.
