During his postfight press conference, Lopez said:
“September 12th, right? So, you got Ryan Garcia versus Conor Benn. That’s the next one. We’ll see what happens there. If Conor wins, it’s a great fight to take across the pond. I think I’d rather wait for Devin at the end. So, it’ll either be Liam Paro next or the winner out of Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn.”
Describing his remaining three fights with DAZN as a “road to undisputed,” Lopez rejected the idea of taking an ordinary title defense. His choices make financial sense. Garcia, Benn and Haney offer far more attention and money than Catterall, while Paro would give Lopez a chance to add another belt.
The difficulty is that Catterall cannot simply be removed from the WBA picture. He defeated Shakhram Giyasov on May 23 to capture the secondary welterweight title after Romero was elevated to Super champion.
As part of that decision, the WBA required Romero to face the Catterall versus Giyasov winner within 180 days of their fight. The WBA’s original ruling places the end of that period on November 19.
That consolidation obligation presumably passed to Lopez when he took Romero’s Super title. Yet his postfight list suggests he intends to pursue the other champions and larger attractions first, following the same approach Romero used when he faced Lopez rather than immediately settling the WBA situation involving Giyasov and Catterall.
A cut over Lopez’s right eyebrow supplies one possible reason for a delay. Romero opened the wound in the fifth round, and it began bleeding again later in the fight. Lopez’s team may seek a medical extension if the injury prevents him from returning by November 19.
The WBA can also approve a unification against the Garcia versus Benn winner. Such an exception would allow Lopez to carry its more valuable title into a larger event while Catterall retains the secondary belt.
Another option is a lucrative payment for Catterall to wait. At 33, he may find it difficult to reject a substantial offer when the WBA can move the consolidation bout regardless. Any agreement promising him a later fight would still leave him dependent on the next champion honoring it.
A Lopez defeat would not necessarily bring Catterall any closer. The Garcia versus Benn winner would inherit the WBA Super title and may immediately seek another major payday. Catterall’s promised title fight would once again become someone else’s obligation.
Recognizable opponents, additional belts and the largest purses are Lopez’s priorities. Catterall offers less money and a difficult southpaw style, making him the easiest name to omit from the postfight celebration and the hardest WBA obligation to make disappear.
