“We’re not getting too excited because there’s a chance that we could have been used as a kind of a hurry-up,” Hearn said on the Punch podcasts. “Give it the old ask Eddie Hearn for an offer because he’ll probably tell the media, and then Liam Paro will take the fight for cheaper. Do you know what I mean? I’m just skeptical, but listen, we’re ready.”
Matchroom made its position clear to Bill Haney and DAZN. Hearn confirmed Catterall wants the fight if the two sides can reach an agreement.
“We said that we’ve come back, we went back to Bill Haney, went back to DAZN and said we’re ready to take that fight. So we’re waiting to hear,” Hearn said. “I had a brief conversation with DAZN today, but I’m sure there’s a lot of negotiations going on with Paro and Haney as well.”
Catterall now sits as an alternative while Haney targets the IBF champion. Haney holds the WBO welterweight title and wants Paro’s belt. Paro offers the bigger prize because beating him would give Haney two of the four major championships at 147 pounds. Catterall brings no belt.
Catterall has another option. He’s in position for a WBA title opportunity against the winner of Rolando “Rolly” Romero and Teofimo Lopez, who meet August 22 in Las Vegas.
“Jack’s looking for a big fight. He’s mandatory to the winner of Teofimo Lopez and Rolly coming up. So he’s in a great spot, but he wants to fight any big name, and he’d love to fight Devin Haney,” Hearn said.
That gives Catterall little reason to wait indefinitely. Matchroom has told Haney’s side he’s ready. If his involvement was primarily intended to drive down Paro’s asking price, Catterall can turn his attention toward the WBA title opportunity instead.
