“Rolly, I’d love to get it on next. Let’s do it. If not, vacate the title, do whatever you got to do, but we just want to carry on fighting, stay busy and fight all the top guys and be in some good fights,” said Catterall to Ring Magazine.
The comments come amid uncertainty surrounding Romero’s next move. Reports recently indicated that the WBA champion is expected to return this summer, although a difficult assignment is not anticipated 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 bout never materialized. After months without securing his title opportunity, Giyasov moved on and faced Catterall on the May 23 “Glory in Giza” card at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.
Catterall earned a 12-round unanimous decision victory in that bout, improving his position in the WBA rankings and placing himself in line for a shot at Romero’s title.
Following the win, the WBA ordered Romero and Catterall to begin negotiations for a championship fight. Catterall, however, 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 that he moved away from the WBO route because he did not want to wait for a mandatory title shot, and he has repeatedly emphasized his desire to remain active against the division’s leading names.
Catterall’s message to Rolly is clear: defend the title against the mandatory challenger or step aside and allow the division to move forward.
