Throughout his postfight press convention, Lopez mentioned:
“September twelfth, proper? So, you bought Ryan Garcia versus Conor Benn. That’s the following one. We’ll see what occurs there. If Conor wins, it’s a fantastic battle to take throughout the pond. I believe I’d quite anticipate Devin on the finish. So, it’ll both be Liam Paro subsequent or the winner out of Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn.”
Describing his remaining three fights with DAZN as a “street to undisputed,” Lopez rejected the thought of taking an peculiar title protection. His decisions make monetary sense. Garcia, Benn and Haney provide way more consideration and cash than Catterall, whereas Paro would give Lopez an opportunity so as to add one other belt.
The problem is that Catterall can’t merely be faraway from the WBA image. He defeated Shakhram Giyasov on Could 23 to seize the secondary welterweight title after Romero was elevated to Tremendous champion.
As a part of that call, the WBA required Romero to face the Catterall versus Giyasov winner inside 180 days of their battle. The WBA’s unique ruling locations the tip of that interval on November 19.
That consolidation obligation presumably handed to Lopez when he took Romero’s Tremendous title. But his postfight record suggests he intends to pursue the opposite champions and bigger points of interest first, following the identical method Romero used when he confronted Lopez quite than instantly settling the WBA state of affairs involving Giyasov and Catterall.
A reduce over Lopez’s proper eyebrow provides one doable motive for a delay. Romero opened the wound within the fifth spherical, and it started bleeding once more later within the battle. Lopez’s group might search a medical extension if the damage prevents him from returning by November 19.
The WBA may approve a unification in opposition to the Garcia versus Benn winner. Such an exception would enable Lopez to hold its extra beneficial title into a bigger occasion whereas Catterall retains the secondary belt.
Another choice is a profitable cost for Catterall to attend. At 33, he might discover it tough to reject a considerable provide when the WBA can transfer the consolidation bout regardless. Any settlement promising him a later battle would nonetheless depart him depending on the following champion honoring it.
A Lopez defeat wouldn’t essentially deliver Catterall any nearer. The Garcia versus Benn winner would inherit the WBA Tremendous title and should instantly search one other main payday. Catterall’s promised title battle would as soon as once more turn into another person’s obligation.
Recognizable opponents, extra belts and the biggest purses are Lopez’s priorities. Catterall affords much less cash and a tough southpaw type, making him the simplest title to omit from the postfight celebration and the toughest WBA obligation to make disappear.
